Eddie Rabbitt's vision of country music in the 1970s and early '80s was well in line with where country ended up in the first decade of the 21st century, a sleek and defined hybrid of pop, rock, and country that blurs differences and encourages capital. Some of
Rabbitt's biggest hits, like 1980's "Drivin' My Life Away," seemed more like
Creedence Clearwater Revival than they did
George Jones, and the brilliant "Suspicions" was a piece of smooth urban R&B, hardly country. Both are included in this set, along with the impossible to resist "I Love a Rainy Night," the why-didn't-the-
Eagles-do-this "Someone Could Lose a Heart Tonight," and
Rabbitt's sturdy version of
Dion's "The Wanderer."
Rabbitt could do straight country just fine, when he chose to, though, as he proved with the classic country ballad "On Second Thought," which is also included here. ~ Steve Leggett