Disco de Tracy Byrd: “20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Tracy Byrd”

He's three albums into his current deal with RCA Records, but Tracy Byrd first made a name for himself at MCA in the '90s where he was a frequent - if not consistent - visitor to the upper regions of the country charts. Oddly, this collection of MCA hits was released less than two years after Byrd's first retrospective Keepers and contained no new tracks.

Eight of the ten tracks found here are also available on Keepers so you probably don't need both. Both sets emphasize the rowdy side of Byrd, with romps like "Holdin' Heaven," "Watermelon Crawl," and "Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous" dominating the lineup. It's the ballads, however, like "Keeper Of The Stars" where Byrd's warm baritone really shines (omitting his top ten ballad "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" from both collections makes no sense whatsoever).

Which collection you prefer (Millennium or Keepers) probably depends on whether any of the nonduplicated tracks appeal to you. Keepers offers the uptempo "Heaven In My Woman's Eyes" and "When Mama Ain't Happy" plus the nonhit ballad "Someone To Give My Love To," while this Millennium set has the dance ditty "First Step" and the midpaced "Walking To Jerusalem." I favor the Keepers lineup a tad more myself.

Just a short while ago, I was not exactly familiarized with who Tracy Byrd was. Ive heard a few of his songs on the radio before, so I decided to pick this version of his Greatest Hits. At such a low price, I feel that I've payed almost too little for it! Talented artist with an awesome voice. I'd say all the songs from track #5 to the end (exactly last half of the album) are my personal favourites. I've also picked up his latest album at the same time, "The Truth About Men"...another worthwhile one that can be considerated!

Almost all my favorites, and the remastering was done pretty well. On truly revealing stereo systems many of these "remasters" sound edgy and harsh; while this CD is quite lively, it is not edgy or harsh as some of the other.

Highly recommended.

This tall country singer, who folowed in Mark Chesnutt's footsteps, being good friends with him, is a singer who I'd have to say by listening to him, that all of his songs, including, "The Keeper Of The Stars, a beautiful ballad that make you cry a river of tears of joy, and was played at many weddings, have at least some humor in them. He is a funny guy, a character singer, who writes creative and original comical songs like " Lifestyles of the not so Rich and Famous ", "Walkin to Jereusalem" and "Watermelon Crawl " and party songs about having fun, like, " I'm From the Country ". There's the more serious songs, like " Love Lessons " that he also sings with dry humor, but really plays like a true ballad. The man has a distinct and to me, a neat voice voice that isn't too deep. He isn't a real serious country singer, there is no song that I know of that is flat out serious. Even his serious ballads, have subtle humor.