Randy Travis - Always & Forever

Randy Travis' first album, 1986's Storms Of Life was one of those rare debuts that was nearly perfect: a confident, assured statement of purpose that set expectations for a follow-up almost too high. Remarkably, his second album Always & Forever -- delivered just a year later -- met those expectations and rivaled its predecessor in its quality. If there's just a slightly increased inclination to slick, radio-ready productions and an emphasis on ballads, the songs themselves are sturdy, classically styled country tunes, whether they're tales of heartache or devotion and they're grounded by Travis, whose nuanced baritone -- bearing a definite Lefty Frizzell influence but possessing his own distinctive idiosyncrasies -- cuts through whatever production glaze there is here. Read More