Randy Travis

Randy Travis was country music's first multi-platinum selling artist when the Storms of Life album arrived in 1985 and almost single-handedly put the term "New Traditionalist" on the country music map. In retrospect, that marketing label was tailor-made for Travis, whose calm, comfortable singing style and no cowboy circus frills belied the fact that his recordings were carefully done to stand outside the industry's passing fads, which makes this two-disc career overview seem both timely and sturdy. The essentials are here, including a quartet of hits from Storms of Life, "On the Other Hand," "1982," "Diggin' Up Bones," and "No Place Like Home," as well as later hits like 1994's "Whisper to Me," and it affords another look at Travis, whose unassuming, dignified and yes, traditional approach to country music makes him still seem relevant and current even after all these years. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide