Rodney Crowell was one of the premier songwriters of the 1980s. Although his albums were not commercially successful, the high quality of
Crowell's songs did not escape the attention of the music community. This compilation collects the best moments from his early albums, and most of these songs will sound instantly familiar to people who listened to country radio in the 1980s. Many of the songs featured on this album were made into hits, including "Queen of Hearts" (
Juice Newton), "Stars on the Water" (
Jimmy Buffett), "I Ain't Living Long Like This" (
Waylon Jennings), and "Shame on the Moon" (
Bob Seger). As is often the case when songwriters sing their own material, the songs carry more emotional weight under the care of the original author. Although
Rodney Crowell does not have a powerful or distinctive voice, he has a genuine warmth in his delivery and a lyrical directness that gives his songs universal appeal. The finest tracks are the relationship songs, whether it's rising above the pain of heartbreak ("Ashes By Now") or finding romance in the simple pleasures of everyday life ("An American Dream"). Given the uneven nature of his solo albums, this album is a terrific introduction to a respected songwriter. ~ Vik Iyengar