Those who regard Keith Whitley as the country singer of his generation now have further, if not final, proof. When J.D. Crowe released the exceptional hard-country album Somewhere Between in 1981, Whitley's deep, agile voc... more »als were leading the way. It was Whitley's last studio album with Crowe; he soon departed for country stardom. Eight years later, Whitley was dead from an alcohol overdose. These 15 songs mix five unreleased recordings with newly arranged and recorded versions of the Somewhere Between album. Only the vocals are preserved. Note for soulful note, the fresh backing seamlessly matches Whitley's vocal art. The previously unheard title track sounds like a spirit visitation from Lefty Frizzell, and the newly unearthed, melancholy "I Don't Know You Well Enough to Say Goodbye" deserves a spot on every honky-tonk jukebox. Even the early demo of "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" comes off masterfully. With the exception of George Jones and George Strait, no country singer alive could do these songs greater justice. --Roy Kasten« less
Those who regard Keith Whitley as the country singer of his generation now have further, if not final, proof. When J.D. Crowe released the exceptional hard-country album Somewhere Between in 1981, Whitley's deep, agile vocals were leading the way. It was Whitley's last studio album with Crowe; he soon departed for country stardom. Eight years later, Whitley was dead from an alcohol overdose. These 15 songs mix five unreleased recordings with newly arranged and recorded versions of the Somewhere Between album. Only the vocals are preserved. Note for soulful note, the fresh backing seamlessly matches Whitley's vocal art. The previously unheard title track sounds like a spirit visitation from Lefty Frizzell, and the newly unearthed, melancholy "I Don't Know You Well Enough to Say Goodbye" deserves a spot on every honky-tonk jukebox. Even the early demo of "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" comes off masterfully. With the exception of George Jones and George Strait, no country singer alive could do these songs greater justice. --Roy Kasten
Just when you thought we lost country to pop music...
09/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Numerous greatest hits albums and Keith Whitley still has the nerve to give us more incredible unreleased original material. Don't be fooled by the title, this is an album of many moods, sad a serious and down right honky-tonk fun with songs like "Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With". Whitley's sound is like a pool of water in the desert of comercialized pop-country that has been infesting the genre. Hurting for a REAL country musician? Try this on for size."
A True Country Legend At His Best
Nicholas R. Nahodil | Stow, OH United States | 09/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Keith Whitley was and still is country music at its finest. Sad Songs and Waltzes clearly displays the pure raw talent that he possed. For those of you that have been fans of Keith Whitley you can appreciate the talent and these timeless tracks. For those of you who are new to Keith Whitley you are in for a tremendous treat. Considering that this album has sat on the shelfs since 1982 it sounds as fresh and alive as if it were recorded just yesterday. There are very few Country musicians who can hold a candle to one of the greatest Country Musicians of all time...past and present."
Essential Whitley
Don Thomason | Dunbar, KY United States | 02/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This reworking of early Whitley recordings (including the entire 1982 album Somewhere Between by J. D. Crowe and the New South, for whom Whitley sang) is the best tribute to date to one of country music's most influential artists at the beginning of his country career. Guest artists (Alison Krauss, Carl Jackson, Diamond Rio`s Gene Johnson, Dale Ann Bradley) add their talents to these tracks, but they do so totally in a support capacity and the only identity evident on this album is Whitley's. And that's more than enough -- the emotion, phrasing, and straightforwardness with a honky tonk pathos that made Whitley (a Lefty Frizzell acolyte) so revered is center stage. The music here is country in its unmistakable, pure form -- featuring "Long Black Limousine," Haggard's "Somewhere Between," Lefty's "I Never Go Around Mirrors," and the Willie Nelson penned title cut, a jewel where the singer laments that his song about his lost love will not be heard: "Though my records may say it/No one will play it/For sad songs and waltzes ain't sellin' this year." Two of these songs from the 1982 album later became hits for other artists, "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" (George Strait) and "(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy" (Gene Watson). No matter how much or little Keith Whitley you currently own, these fifteen tracks are more than worth being in your music library."
Pure Country from one of the greats.....
Don Thomason | 09/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At first, I didn't think anything could rival my favorite Whitley CD "I Wonder What You Think Of Me". But after a few listens, that traditional Whitley soul and sound began to really sink in. Keith's multiple talents allow him to cover the full Country spectrum here - yes, there are "sad songs" on this CD ("Long Black Limousine", "Honky Tonk Crazy"), "lighter" songs such as "Where Did You Learn To Love Like That", "cover" tunes ("Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind") as well as some almost Bluegrass crossovers ("Girl from the Canyon", "Another Town"). No surprise, since Keith really started as a Bluegrass artist.Absolutely great stuff, and Keith's voice is as usual in top form. All in all, a must for Whitley fans or any fan of "real" country music. If you love the "old stuff", and have never heard of Keith Whitley, buy this CD. Or, if you are tired of today's watered down, glitzed up pretenders that Nashville pumps out like penny candy, treat yourself to music you will treasure for a lifetime. What a shame Whitley, one of the few real Country talents to emerge in the past twenty years, died at such a young age (of alcohol poisoning). Thankfully his music lives on."
Greatest country singer
KENNETH SPENCE | cleveland,ohio | 07/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW!!!! what a cd. keith whitley has still today over ten years since his death,proven to me that singers like him dont come around often. what a talent!. the mans voice is awesome.he shows here what country music needs today a true singer,with all the entertainers today none of them can compare to keith whitley.i think he would of been bigger than garth,alan,strait and paisley.his tone is so powerful yet so smooth,j.d. crowe thank you for giving us this cd.great job!! run dont walk to get this cd. and to other keith fans.. theres even a better cd coming out soon its keiths cd called "MY HOME AINT IN THE HALL OF FAME".when you hear this one,it will blow you away.i hope all country fans get this one,then they will hear the gretest country singer of all time.long live keith whitleys music!!!!"