Trail of Memories: The Randy Travis Anthology
When Randy Travis debuted withStorms in Lifein 1986, it seemed like the answer to a prayer. Travis'sLefty Frizzell-inspired baritone was deployed atop quiet, twangy arrangements built around little more than brushes and acoustic rhythm guitar. Decorating his earnest phrasing with the most delicate melisma, Travis helped solidify a traditionalist revival by landing several singles (including "On the Other Hand," "Diggin' Up Bones," and "No Place Like Home," each written byPaul Overstreet) in the country Top 10. Unfortunately, in the '90s age of Hot New Country, Travis's low-key vocals and quiet arrangements no longer passed industry muster as even decent demo recordings, and truth be told, his effortless singing began to sound more listless than lilting. His formerly unerring ear for great song selection began to suffer, as well--witness the later Pollyanna of "Heroes and Friends" (who says they never let you down?) and the outright propaganda of his George Bush Sr.-era hit "Points of Light." But just because Travis never again matched that strong first batch of Overstreet gems doesn't mean he didn't continue to release his share of superb sides. This two-disc, 43-track collection does a nearly flawless job of finding the highlights of Randy Travis's long career.--David Cantwell