Tracy Byrd - Keepers: Greatest Hits

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This journeyman country singer hails from the same East Texas stomping grounds that produced honky-tonk greats George Jones and Mark Chesnutt. Tracy Byrd puts a slightly smoother, more contemporary spin on his twang and has yet to forge a musical identity as distinctive as the aforementioned masters. Yet his expansive, burnished baritone can effortlessly fill the dance floor with feet or your beer with tears. Versatility is the operative word with this vibrant, somewhat uneven 11-track collection that surveys the commercial high-water marks of Byrd's seven-year recording career. With assured confidence, he covers all the dancehall mood swings, from the rollicking humor of "Watermelon Crawl" and "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous" to the world-weariness of "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes" and the romantic dreaminess of "Keeper of the Stars." Byrd's only sin is that at times he makes it all sound a little bit too easy. --Bob Allen

Tracks:

When Mama Ain't Happy
Someone To Give My Love To
Holdin' Heaven
Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous
Watermelon Crawl
The Keeper Of The Stars (Radio Version)
Love Lessons
Heaven In My Woman's Eyes
Big Love
Don't Take Her She's All I Got
I'm From The Country

Amazon.com

This journeyman country singer hails from the same East Texas stomping grounds that produced honky-tonk greats George Jones and Mark Chesnutt. Tracy Byrd puts a slightly smoother, more contemporary spin on his twang and has yet to forge a musical identity as distinctive as the aforementioned masters. Yet his expansive, burnished baritone can effortlessly fill the dance floor with feet or your beer with tears. Versatility is the operative word with this vibrant, somewhat uneven 11-track collection that surveys the commercial high-water marks of Byrd's seven-year recording career. With assured confidence, he covers all the dancehall mood swings, from the rollicking humor of "Watermelon Crawl" and "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous" to the world-weariness of "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes" and the romantic dreaminess of "Keeper of the Stars." Byrd's only sin is that at times he makes it all sound a little bit too easy. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews:

Nineties country music to dance to.......2003-09-21

Tracy was one of many new country singers to emerge during the boom years of the early nineties. Following the massive success of Garth Brooks, country music was more popular than it had ever been. Tracy's style was firmly rooted in tradition but with a contemporary edge, rather like Alan Jackson. Tracy was never able to achieve the level of consistency that Alan did, but this collection is a fine showcase for his talents.

Although there are some ballads, most of the songs are up-tempo ditties to get those toes tapping. There are two covers of Johnny Paycheck songs (Someone to give my love to, Don't take her she's all I got) and a cover of Heaven is my woman's love, but the other songs are all originals. Among the great original songs here are Holding heaven, Lifestyles of the not so rich and famous, Watermelon crawl and Keeper of the stars.

If there is a flaw in this collection, it is that it is too short. A couple of big country hits (First step, I wanna feel that way again) are missing, but Tracy recorded other great songs too - I particularly enjoy Out of control raging fire, a superb duet with the obscure but brilliant Dawn Sears. The addition of those three songs would have strengthened this collection considerably.

Still, this is a fine collection and if you are only intending to buy one Tracy Byrd album, you should make it this one. If you enjoy Alan Jackson's music, you will enjoy this.

Great singer, slim collection.......2002-01-05

The warm baritone of Tracy Byrd was been a frequent - if not consistent - visitor to the upper echelons of the country charts in the '90s. This hits collection Keepers captures many of his best moments, from rowdy romps like "Heaven In My Woman's Eyes" and "I'm From The Country" to slower, more tender fare like "Keeper Of The Stars."

Omitted top ten hits "The First Step" and "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" should have also made the lineup - particularly the latter, as ballads are in short supply on this collection. At ten hits plus one new selection, Keepers also seems a bit skimpy (most country collections of late have been offering at least twelve tracks - usually more - with two or three new recordings).

The new track "When Mama Ain't Happy" is an uptempo ditty about pleasing the Mrs. It's lack of success on the charts was a big surprise, since lightweight romps of this sort usually do quite well at radio. Byrd apparently did not want to record this song and subsequently left MCA after this album. He landed at RCA where he's recently had a couple of great singles ("Put Your Hand In Mine" and "Just Let Me Be In Love").

Overall, Keepers is a pleasant collection. Yet with a little more effort from the folks at MCA, it could have been great. For a slightly stronger look at Byrd's MCA years, check out the new twelve track Millennium Collection.

Really Shows Tracy's Best Work!.......2000-12-23

Good CD, but where is his recent hit "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" and his classic hit "Walkin' To Jeruselum"?

This is a aewesome cd!.......2000-03-14

This cd is special because its a greatest hits album of one of the greatest singers i've ever heard. Trust me, this cd wont let you down. For example BIG LOVE makes you want to jump around and dance. And all the songs are irresistable, especially LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS. In other words its a almost flawless cd.

Very good CD! Definitely a "Keeper.".......1999-10-30

This is a good CD that sums up Tracy Byrd's work up until this point. My least favorite song on this CD is the new track, "When Mama Ain't Happy." It isn't bad, though. My favorite songs on this CD are "Holdin' Heaven," "Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich and Famous," and the best song on the album, "Keeper Of The Stars." There are other goodies on the album, such as the two Johnny Paycheck songs "Someone To Give My Love To" and "Don't Take Her She's All I Got," "Watermelon Crawl," "Love Lessons," "Heaven In My Woman's Eyes," "Big Love," and "I'm From The Country." A good album from start to finish.

Music Album:

Music Album