Search - Foster & Lloyd :: Essential

This one's a "Sure Thing"

jbesanko | Crofton, MD United States | 12/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although both Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd have gone on to moderately successful careers in the music business since parting amicably in 1990, I think theirs is clearly another one of those many cases where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts...As other reviewers have said, there's just not a weak cut on this 20-song collection, which covers pretty well their output over three albums. Several of these were sizable country hits in the late '80s, when acts like these guys, along with Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle and a few others, were actually making mainstream country radio fresh and interesting--if only for a short while. I'm especially fond of the Everlys-style vocal harmonies on such tracks as "Sure Thing," "Fair Shake," and "After I'm Gone" (though those harmonies are apparent on virtually every song to a greater or lesser degree). The sly humor of "Hard To Say No," "Fat Lady Sings" and "Can't Have Nothin'" is indicative of some clever songwriting. Finally, the Orbisonesque quality of "Happy For A While," makes it a particular favorite, and their one great cover (and previously unreleased track), "White Train," makes this album worthwhile even if you're one of those lucky few with all three of their original discs. Since this is all there is left in print to document the output of this cruelly overlooked and highly literate duo, it's a steal at any price. Essential."

Don't hold off, you NEED this disc!

daniel hresko | raleigh, nc | 05/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, imagine that the Beatles started out in the late '80s as a country band. That gives you a HINT of what F&L were like at their best. Radney Foster (lead vox, main songwriter) was pure Texas, Bill Lloyd (guitar whiz, hook maestro, and singer-writer)added the yummy mix of almost-cliche'd cowtown country riffs and British invasion feel. They could pay homage to the past, but they weren't simply 'retro' or redundant--these guys were crafty songwriters who knew how to do things right, and did it with a smile for everyone to boot. These songs come from that heady 5-year period that included Desert Rose Band, Highway 101, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle... Too pop for Nashville and too country for pop radio (back then), don't miss out on F&L now, like radio did a decade ago."

Late eighties cutting-edge country music

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 05/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd teamed up for three albums in the late eighties. Nineteen tracks from those albums, together with one hitherto unreleased track, make up this excellent compilation. Most people seem to have lost interest in Foster and Lloyd's own recordings, which is a pity. Their music was a wonderful blend of contemporary and traditional music.Their big country hits were Crazy over you, Sure thing, What do you want from me this time and Fair shake, all of which made the country top ten. They also had several other country hits that didn't make the top ten, but the most famous song here may be Don't go out with him. It was not a hit for Foster and Lloyd but Tanya Tucker and T Graham Brown recorded it as a duet (re-titled Don't go out) and had a country top ten hit with it. It is said that Brooks and Dunn were influenced by Foster and Lloyd and I can believe this. If you enjoy listening to Brooks and Dunn, you will almost certainly enjoy Foster and Lloyd - if you can find their music."