Disco de Tim McGraw: “Greatest Hits Vol. 2”

During the course of 12 years and nine albums, the breadth and depth of McGraw's material has grown significantly as demonstrated by the 16 cuts on his second hits compilation. The previously released material is all here since Vol. 1 as well as a couple of suprises, notably the title tracks from Not a Moment to Soon and Everywhere. There is one glaring omission from this collection..no Angry All the Time. As a track that ranks among his best (as well as a multi week number one) you wonder why it was not included and the likes of Like We Never Loved at All was. This small thing aside, this disc excels in a way few compilations ever do.

The album contains four new songs, all potential hits should the Curb choose to release them (and they should). The sweetly paternal "My Little Girl" is culled from the upcoming film "My Friend Flicka," and is one the most well written songs I have heard in a long time. If the line "When you were asleep I would whisper I love you in the moonlight at your door...as I walked away I would hear to say Daddy, love you more" does not bring any father to his knees then he should have his pulse checked. The observant and positive "Beautiful People" is the absolute antithesis of Marilyn Manson's song of the same name and shows once again that McGraw believes in the inherent goodness and strength of the human spirit. Even better is the empathetic anthem "I've Got Friends That Do." which McGraw co-wrote (a first for him) and which evokes a theme more and more present in some of his songs of late-God. To me though, the best of the new stuff is McGraw's well-rendered take on Ryan Adams' "When the Stars Go Blue," showcasing surprising range and the instincts that have served him so well.

The collection as a whole shows why McGraw is developing quickly into an icon. He has obvious talents and undeniable gifts which make him the artist of his time-foremost among them his ability to evolve both as an artist and a human being while continuing to raise the bar musically. Songs like the abortion-themed "Red Rag Top" and the Nelly collaboration "Over and Over" prove McGraw is not afraid to take risks, and, as ever, the risks are paying off.

Finally, though fans and critics alike are hesitant to anoint people as legends until they are dead or at least 50 plus, McGraw is quickly reaching that level. Many pointed to his last album as the CD of his career but I beg to differ. With the new music here alongside what came before, it becomes instantly clear that McGraw, who has his 40's still ahead of him, is an artist who, should he choose, can go the way of George Strait and continue to be a valid if not dominating force in his genre well past most artists "prime".

Tim McGraw is one of the most reliable hit makers around, and his CDs are good value for money, running 50+ minutes in length of mostly good quality music. This second volume of hits collects another 12 of his hits along with four new songs. Two of the hits "Not A Moment Too Soon" and Everywhere" predate some of the songs that were on GREATEST HITS V1. Also the hits are not in chronological order, jumping back and forth. The most recent hits "Drugs or Jesus", "Back When" and "Do You Want Fries With That?" are missing, which makes sense since the label doesn't want to prematurely kill off sales of Tim's most recent CDs but there's no excuse for leaving off "Angry All The Time".The CD leads off with the immortal "Live Like You Were Dying", one of his finest songs, and thus far his biggest hit. At least 7 of these songs were Billboard #1's ("Live Like You Were Dying", The Cowboy In Me", "Real Good Man", Watch The Wind Blow By", "Grown Men Don't Cry", Not A Moment Too Soon","Everywhere") and all except "Over and Over" were top 5's (this song,sung with rapster Nelly was a pop hit but really doesn't fit with the rest of the CD and is by far the weakest track on the disc).

I have mixed feelings about including new songs on a "Greatest Hits" collection. I guess the labels must do something to get the most devoted fans to shell out for a collection of songs they've already purchased. All of the new songs are good - "When The Stars Go Blue" is already at #15 and rising and I expect "My Little Girl" to become a big hit.

I just hope I can keep it together enough at the reception to dance with my little girl for the father daughter dance to "My Little Girl". It's over the top as far as I'm concerned.I'm going to play it over & over before the wedding so maybe I can make it through the dance..

I have all of Tim's CDs and this one doesn't disappoint. All of my past favorites and some beautiful new songs. I love the beat of "When The Stars Go Blue" and interesting Tim is starting to co-write some songs. I don't know why he didn't do that on previous cds. As a huge fan for Tims, I'm never disappointed in any cd. He just keeps putting out wonderful music. That's why he is a superstar!

Tim McGraw is one of the most successful country artists of all time. This CD is proof of that. My favorite track is the duet Like We Never Loved At All. This is a beautiful song about two people can drift apart in a relationship. Over and Over is a track with a very smooth beat. Tim sings nice supporting vocals on this song.

I love the new track When The Stars Go Blue. Tim sounds great vocally and hits all the high notes on this song. I love the honesty in Tim McGraw voice on the track Grown Men Don't Cry. There is a tenderness in his voice that is very appealing. I also liked the track Red Rag Top. This is a great story song about being young and making hard decisions in life.

The Cowboy in Me is another highlight on this album. I think that Tim describes the personality of some men very accurately on this song. Live Like You Were Dying is another one of my favorite tracks. This song is a reminder that life is precious and that we should live it to the fullest. Real Good Man is just an excellent country song about we should never judge a person by their outward appearance This is an enjoyable track makes me tap my feet every time I hear it.

She's My Kind of Rain and Watch the Wind Blow By are two pretty love songs that shows that Tim has a very romantic side to him. My Old Friend and Everywhere are two good songs about different aspects of friendship. This is a very entertaining greatest hits collection. I loved it.