Love Lessons (CD - 1995)

Personnel: Tracy Byrd (vocals), Biff Watson (acoustic guitar), Brent Mason (electric guitar), Billy Walker, Jr. (guitar), Buddy Emmons (steel guitar), Paul Franklin (steel guitar, pedal dobro), Stuart Duncan, Johnnie Lee Carpenter (fiddle), Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Steve Nathan (piano, organ, synthesizer, Wurlitzer), Glenn Worf (bass), Lonnie Wilson (drums, tambourine, vibraslap), John Wesley Ryles, Liana Manis, Mark Nesler (background vocals).

Tracy Byrd has a deep attachment to traditional, rootsy Texas swing, and this influence helps make his third album, LOVE LESSONS, a well-defined, well-paced winner.

Byrd has a talent for saving potential novelty songs from sounding overtly trite and corny. This gift especially helps with upbeat tracks like the rowdy dance club-bound "Honky-Tonk Dancing Machine," and the joyous sing-along, "Walking To Jerusalem." Both display Byrd's confidence and enthusiasm, qualities also captured by his facile way with a romatic ballad, such as the title track. There's also a strong sense of conviction that rumbles within Byrd's deep, resonant Texas voice, especially when he tackles a traditional chestnut like Bill Anderson's tasty shuffle, "You Lied To Me."

Thanks to a sincere delivery, some strong material, and an ability to combine past traditions with contemporary expectations, Tracy Byrd has gained considerable credibility.

Personnel: Tracy Byrd (vocals); Billy Walker, Jr. (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar, dobro); Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Steve Nathan (piano, organ, synthesizer); Lonnie Wilson (drums, tambourine, vibraslap); John Wesley Ryles, Mark Nesler, Liana Manis (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Chuck Ainlay.

Liner Note Author: Tracy Byrd.

Recording information: SoundStage.

Photographer: Mark Tucker .

Unknown Contributor Role: Michelle Probst.

On his third album Love Lessons, Tracy Byrd doesn't come up with quite as winning a collection as he did on No Ordinary Man, but he comes close enough to make the record a worthwhile purchase for fans. ~ Thom Owens minimize