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CD Review: Sad Songs And Waltzes - Keith Whitley

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Reviewed by Carrie Attebury

I have always liked Keith Whitley's music and have spent the last couple months eagerly waiting "Sad Songs And Waltzes" to be released. It was more then worth the wait!!

This album is a remix and redub of one of Keith's first albums called "Somewhere Between." It was originally released in 1982, when Keith was the lead singer for J. D. Crowe and The New South.

Along with the orginal cuts there are 5 previously unreleased songs, which feature Alison Krauss, Carl Jackson, and Gene Johnson (from Diamond Rio) singing harmonies.

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I've always liked the old Lefty Frizzell song "I Never Go Around Mirrors," and Keith's version is probably the best I have heard. I know this song has been recorded many times by many different singers, but this song to me just sounds like the story of Keith Whitley... A good man and very talented musician and singer, whose life just was wasted and ended way too soon.

"To Be Loved By A Woman" is a great song written by Billy Joe Shaver. I love the line "It's That Woman There Behind You.... That Makes You Who You Are." Instead of a "Stand By Your Man" song, it's a "Stand By Your Woman" type of song.

One Of my favorite songs on the album, "Where Did You Learn To Love Like That" is upbeat, and tells the story of a man taking a second look at the lady in his life, seeing a whole new side of her and liking what he sees very much.

"Somewhere Between," Keith's version of this Merle Haggard song makes me cry everytime I hear it.

"I Would Have Loved You All Night Long" is one of those songs that really makes you stop and think that you really need to cherish all the time you have with the ones you love the most, because you may not get another chance.

I have read Lorrie Morgans book "Forever Yours Faithfully" at least 10 dozen times, and in it she mentions that Keith recorded the original version of what we now know as the George Strait song "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind." Keith's version of this song has been unreleased until now, and I never thought I would get to hear it. I love Keith's version!!!!!!!! Give it a listen and tell me that George Strait doesn't sound like Keith!!!

"The Girl From The Canyon" is an awsome bluegrass song that features J.D Crowe and The New South.

"I Dont Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye" is a great song that was cowritten by Kix Brooks (of Brooks and Dunn) and features Alison Krauss singing backup. If Keith had lived I think that he and Alison would have made an awsome duet team. Her voice sounds so great with his.

The title song of the album "Sad Songs And Waltzes" written by Willie Nelson is one of my favorite songs. And pretty much says that traditional music then and now "aint sellin this year," which is a very sad thing.

"Another Town" is a really great faster paced bluegrass song. Again, featuring J.D Crowe and The New South. Until this album I hadn't heard any of Keith's bluegrass-style music, and I have to say that it's his best music.

"A Long Black Limousine" gives me goosebumps from the first three notes that Keith sings quietly backed by a guitar.

"Family Tree" is one of those upbeat but sad songs. "The Leaves Are Fallin From The Family Tree And The Last One To Fall Is Me." It's the story of a person who has watched their family fall apart pretty much, and is headed in the same direction.

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Song List

Audio Clips courtesy of: Barnes & Noble.
All graphics © Shelly Fabian, with the exception of the album cover, used with permission of Rounder Records
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