Greatest #1 Hits
Following the bland, smothering urban-cowboy era of the early 1980s, Randy Travis's loose, flexible vocal phrasing and stripped-down, traditional accompaniment was the breath of fresh air. Along withDwight YoakamandGeorge Strait, Travis epitomized the new traditionalism that dominated the remainder of the decade. While hisHaggardandFrizzellinfluences were obvious, his relaxed delivery and flair for understatement set him apart. His voice, plangent and brimming with heart, its twang neither softened nor downplayed over time, remained at the core of his music. Beginning with his first No. 1, "1982," through the snappy "Too Gone Too Long" and the exquisite "I Told You So," Travis and producer Kyle Lehning created a body of music that has stood the test of time, not to mention more recent trends. While this collection isn't complete, it's a fine survey of the pinnacle of Travis's career.--Rich Kienzle