Randy Travis Album: “I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis”

This is a great recording for a number of reasons and if it weren't for Mike Seeger and his magical tape recorder, we'd never have it. Thanks Mike! This concert is an interesting document of the very beginnings of the folk revival of the early 1960s. It features the folksy side of Merle Travis as opposed to the honkytonk side. We hear songs that northern audiences would likely have been familiar with such as Nine Pound Hammer and John Henry, as opposed to I Like My Chicken Fryin' Size, Kentucky Means Paradise, and the like. I would have appreciated a more adventurous songlist, but that's really nitpicking considering the enjoyability of this concert. Merle plays his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar throughout, which gives us softer, warmer versions of his signature instrumentals. When I listen to this album, I am taken by Merle Travis's humility. This guy can play the pants off of virtually any guitar picker and you'd never know it from his demeanor or his playing style. Through the majority of the songs, Merle uses his guitar to accompany his warm voice, throwing in a few majestic licks and fills along the way. The cover photograph, while artistic, is a bit misleading as it was taken many years after this recording was made. I think Rounder must be trying to market this album to the same "Gen X" crowd that dabbled into country music by buying Johnny Cash's recent (and largely mediocre) American Recordings that sport similar packaging. Well, I suppose this is okay if it introduces younger generations to the wonder of Merle Travis. Still, I wish the album contained photographs from the era of the concert. Once again, I find myself nitpicking here (not to mention going off on a tangent). This album is a wonderful album, an interesting historical document, and an entertaining, uplifting performance.

Along with Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle, Randy Travis ushered in the new traditionalist movement in country music with his 1985 debut STORMS OF LIFE. That album produced his first no. 1 hit with "On the Other Hand," and nearly twenty years later he topped the chart again in 2003 with "Three Wooden Crosses." Those songs bookend this collection and in between are 18 songs which hit most of the highlights of his amazing career.

While Travis is not known as a songwriter, he makes excellent choices in the material he performs. And his warm baritone voice is one of the best in all of country music. [Note: Travis did write the no. 1 hit "I Told You So," and he co-wrote "Forever Together" and "Better Class of Losers" with Alan Jackson.]

Those of you who already bought 2002's 2-CD TRAIL OF MEMORIES will not find anything new here (except the addition of "Three Wooden Crosses"), but for everyone else this is a solid single-disc career retrospective. My only complaint is that with a running time of just under 65 minutes, there was room to squeeze in a few of the eight top 10 singles left off. I would have especially liked to have seen "1982" from his debut added along with the duet with his hero George Jones on "A Few Old Country Boys" from 1990's HEROES & FRIENDS.

While I already own TRAIL OF MEMORIES, I purchased this as a Christmas present (along with the equally excellent THE VERY BEST OF DWIGHT YOAKAM) for the country music fan on my holiday list. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

What a great collection my only disappointment was I Told You so was not a duet with Carrie Underwood. They were on American Idol the other night & they did this together it gave me goose bumps.Non the less a real bang for your buck this is a 2 cd set you can't beat that with a stick Randy is as always FANTASTIC !

I was fortunate to grow up listening to my fathers records of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. And watching Cal's Corral on KTLA TV in Los Angeles I was able to see Merle,Chet,Joe Maphis and the Collins Kids etc. As a guitarist and musician this music has inspired me all my life. When I read that this recording was available I ordered it immediately. It is a treasure for musicians and finger pickers everywhere. If only I could convince a record company to re-release 'The Merle Travis Guitar'Capitol T650 with bonus tracks , I'd be in heaven!!Buy this Cd and you'll never regret it, after all his method of picking wasn't called 'Travis Picking' for nothing!

If you love Randy Travis or are a brand new fan this cd is for you.

For those who have listened to Randy since he was digging up bones, it is a great walk down a melodious memory lane.

To the newbies who may know him from his recent blockbuster

Three Wooden Crosses, welcome to the world of traditional country.

All these great hits show why Randy has remained such a respected and oft-imitated artist.

There are no affectations and no pretense. What you hear is pure talent.

A baritone that can cause chills and tears, no one does it better.

I couldn't possibly choose favorites. Each and every song is a wonderful story and Randy sings them with heart.