What I Do the Best (CD - 1996)

Personnel: John Michael Montgomery (vocals, guitar); Don Potter, Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); John McFee, Dan Huff, Brent Rowan, Larry Byrom (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Glen Duncan (fiddle); Steve Nathan, Barry Beckett, Carl Marsh (keyboards); Leland Sklar, Michael Rhodes (bass); Stephen Brewster, Eddie Bayers (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion, harmonica); Dennis Wilson, Curtis "Mr. Harmony" Young, John Wesley Ryles, Louis Dean Nunley (background vocals).

Recorded at Masterfonics and The Tracking Room, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: John Michael Montgomery (vocals); Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Don Potter, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Dann Huff, John McFee, Larry Byrom, Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Glen Duncan (fiddle); Terry McMillan (harmonica, percussion); Barry Beckett, Steve Nathan, Carl Marsh (keyboards); Eddie Bayers, Steve Brewster (drums); Curtis Young, Dennis Wilson , John Wesley Ryles, Louis Dean Nunley (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Csaba Petocz; Mike Clute.

Recording information: Emerald Studios, Nashville, TN; Marsh Laboratory, Nashville, TN; Masterfonics, Nashville, TN; New River Studios, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Sound Emporium Studios, Nashville, TN; SOund Kitchen, Franklin, TN; Tracking Room, Nashville, TN; Twin Creeks, Nashville, TN; Woodland, Nashville, TN.

Photographers: Lynne Cook; R.B. Miller; Senor McGuire.

John Michael Montgomery's fourth album, What I Do the Best, doesn't tamper with his hitmaking blueprint at all. Essentially, it follows the same pattern as its three predecessor, relying equally on heart-tugging ballads and clean, up-tempo neo-honky tonk and country-rock. Occasionally, the material is below par and Montgomery's delivery doesn't quite save the weaker songs, yet the best moments of What I Do the Best are among his greatest, blending well-written songs with crisp production and assured singing. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize