Disco de Patty Loveless: “20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Patty Loveless”

MCA is the issuing label as well as the gatekeeper of Loveless' best period, beginning in 1987 and continuing through her move to Epic in 1993, but there are some important omissions on this collection- Steve Earle's "Some Blue Moons Ago," Karen Staley's "Half Over You" and "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights," the sublime Loveless/Staley harmonizing on "Some Morning Soon," and "Overtime." That said, Lyle Lovett's hilarious "God Will" is included, as is another Earle-penned gem, "A Little Bit In Love." Her big hits are here, but Loveless' impeccable song choice makes it necessary to own all of her early CD's to get a true feel for her scope as an interpretive artist and pioneer of the late 80's New Traditionalist movement in Nashville.

Patty Loveless is one of those artists whose career and talent make it nearly impossible to compile her greatest material. But, 20th Century Masters (one of the best series on the market) has made a fine attempt. Patty, as an artist, has picked up where Loretta left off; there hasn't been a more honest country voice since Loretta....must be something in the water in Kentucky. This collection begins with "If My Heart Had Windows" (one of her first songs to get airplay) and ends with "Hurt Me Bad". In between, are 10 numbers that showcase Patty's beautiful voice and delivery. There are other collections out there (and I truly recommend them all), but this one covers her rise to fame and her first few albums. Well mixed, and fantastic sound.

This is one of those CDs that is tough to rate. Since it's essentially a hits package, do you judge it as a stand-alone work or do you compare it to other available packages, almost like a consumer guide? Either way the music is good, but there are more genuine hit singles on Greatest Hits and the later Classics.