Keepers: Greatest Hits (CD - 1999)

Personnel includes: Tracy Byrd (vocals); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Larry Byrom (electric guitar); Robby Turner (steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); John Barlow Jarvis (piano); Michael Rhodes (bass); Owen Hale (drums, percussion); Curtis Young, John Wesley Ryles (background vocals).

Engineers include: Steve Marcantonio.

Includes liner notes by Robert K. Oermann.

Keepers: Greatest Hits is an excellent summary of Tracy Byrd's first five albums, collecting the very best of his hits. Included are the radio version of "The Keeper of the Stars" (rather than the earlier recording that appeared on No Ordinary Man) and a new song, "When Mama Ain't Happy," neither of which appear on other Byrd albums. The collection makes plain that there are two sides to Byrd's career. The first, and most familiar, comprise the lighthearted staples of new country radio like "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous" and "Watermelon Crawl." These songs border on the formulaic, playing up the stereotypes of Southern culture. The other side of Byrd's musical personality is that of a neo-traditionalist balladeer. "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes" sounds like Merle Haggard singing to a Marty Robbins backing track, and both "Someone to Give My Love To" and "Don't Take Her She's All I Got" are stellar covers of early-'70s Johnny Paycheck hits. With these songs, Byrd's interpretive skills are given a chance to really shine. While his commercial successes have been the campy favorites, Tracy Byrd's lasting artistic triumphs are the ballads. ~ Martin Monkman

Byrd's first hits collection shows off his two main strengths--romantic ballads and light-hearted dance numbers--to full effect. The album includes a sampling from each of Byrd's five albums, all delivered in the deep, resonant voice that made him a major country star of the '90s. On the fun side, you'll find Byrd's goofy live favorite "Watermelon Crawl," the hilarious "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich & Famous," the booming "Big Love" and the title track of his album I'M FROM THE COUNTRY. Byrd's skills as a romantic crooner are on display in "Love Lessons," the well-written "Heaven In My Woman's Eyes," his version of Johnny Paycheck's "Someone to Give Me Love To" and his signature tune "The Keeper of the Stars."

It's worth noting that this version of "Keeper of the Stars"--a classic wedding song if every there was one--is the hit single version, which has never before been available on an album. Rounding out the package is one new song, "When Mama Ain't Happy," another fun track that's tailor-made for country dance floors. Byrd fans, as well as fans of '90s country in general, will find KEEPERS a welcome addition to their collections. minimize