Toby Keith Album: “Greatest Hits 2”

Description :

Personnel: Toby Keith (vocals); Scotty Emerick, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Jerry McPherson, Kenny Greenberg (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Julian King (horns, background vocals); Gaika James, Willie Roy Jr., Roman Dudock (horns); Clayton Ivey, Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); Glenn Worf, Michael Rhodes (bass instrument); Shannon Forest (drums); John Wesley Ryles, Lisa Cochran, Wes Hightower (background vocals). <p>Recording information: Shrimp Boat Sound Studio, Key West, Florida; Upstairs Productions, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Loud Recording, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; Cartee Day, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. <p>Although Toby Keith was a regular resident of the Billboard country charts for nearly 10 years before the release of 2002's UNLEASHED, it was that album and its attendant pro-Iraq War anthem, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," that catapulted him to genuine superstar status. The Oklahoma-born singer is often criticized for his politically conservative beliefs, but one listen to GREATEST HITS 2 will make it hard for any listener to resist Keith's warm, commanding baritone, dance-floor-ready neo-traditionalist rhythms, and sharp songwriting. <p>Though it doesn't present anything from Keith's massively popular 2003 record SHOCK'N Y'ALL, the disc does collect many of the best moments from UNLEASHED, PULL MY CHAIN, and HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW. The compilation also adds several newly recorded songs and features high-spirited live versions of early hits "Should've Been a Cowboy," and "You Ain't Much Fun." Other highlights include "Beer for My Horses," a staunchly right-wing Willie Nelson duet, and "Stays in Mexico," a freewheeling examination of marital infidelities. A representative overview of an important period in Keith's career, GREATEST HITS 2 is a perfect introduction to a talented and deceptively complex artist.

Ok, some people are gonna look at this CD and see: TOBY KEITH. Their first thought: arrogant, grandstanding, flag-waving redneck. Others will look at it and think, A brilliant singer/songwriter who isn't afraid to speak his mind.

Doesn't matter which side of the fence you lean on. True, this album features Toby's attitude more than anything else (he's written better tunes than these--"Stays in Mexico" has to be the worst song he's ever wrote, even if it is infectious). Two ballads ("When Loves Fades" and "Rock You Baby") are not included on here. The two ballads that are ("You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This," actually a very well-written song, and "My List," which Keith didn't write) are indeed among his better material. The rest of the stuff..."The Angry American" was appropriate for its time (who didn't want to put a boot in a certain part of Osama bin Laden's anatomy?), but hasn't aged too well. "How Do You Like Me Now?!" is now belittled by the attitude of the rest of the material. And there's nothing from SHOCK 'N YA'LL...interesting.

But Toby reinvents himself (sort of) with the new material. Maybe "redeems" is a better word. "Stays In Mexico" is a throw away; we'll ignore it. Instead, let's look at "Go With Her," a breesy, tongue-in-cheek number inspired by his father. But the highlight of the album is his remake of "Mockingbird" for two reasons. One, Toby has never sounded better, growling out the lyrics to this classic in a voice that would leave even the greatest honky-tonkers in awe. And then there's his daughter, Krystal, who sings with him--a girl who seems to have been born for one purpose: singing. A powerful duet. And there's also two live tracks: "You Ain't Much Fun," a fun but absent-minded song, and "Should've Been a Cowboy," which has become a country radio staple (and a minor classic).

Toby Keith's GREATEST HITS 2 may not feature his best material, but it showcases perfectly where he's at. Though he may not be at his peak (though he could easily get there again), he is still writing and recording with the best of them. His attitude has won him legions of new fans; with these new fans in tow, it seems Keith is ready to re-establish himself as a serious singer/songwriter once more.

If they had an unlimited number of stars, there wouldn't be enough room for all mine! This is a great CD with nearly ALL of my favorite Toby Keith songs! They're all super, but my favorites are I WANNA TALK ABOUT ME, THE ANGRY AMERICAN (I love that song!), BEER FOR MY HORSES (love that song next!), YOU AIN'T MUCH FUN, and SHOULD'VE BEEN A COWBOY.

Toby Keith has such a great voice! And he isn't a liberal either, might I add. (Warning: If you're a Dixie Chicks fan, you're going to hate this CD.)

Great buckle on his belt on the cover picture of the CD.