A Collection Of Hits

This 1990 compilation features Kathy Mattea's best work of the '80s, a formative period when the West Virginia-born country singer was just beginning to hit her stride. Given that the honey-voiced Mattea excelled at singles rather than entire albums during the era, this concise set is necessarily comprised of her finest individual tunes, opening with one of her most memorable hits, a gentle cover of Nanci Griffith's poignant "Love at the Five and Dime."

 

COLLECTION also includes other standout songs such as the shuffling "Train of Memories," the road-weary "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses," and the aching "Where've You Been," all of which shine the spotlight on her easy-going brand of folk-tinged country. With many of Mattea's strongest outings (WALKING AWAY A WINNER and LOVE TRAVELS, in particular) released in the mid-'90s, A COLLECTION OF HITS is perfect for listeners merely seeking an overview of her earlier material.

 

Personnel:

Kathy Mattea (vocals); Pat Flynn, Chris Leuzinger, Patrick Alger, John Mock (acoustic guitar); Tim O'Brien (acoustic guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Nick Forster (acoustic & electric guitars); Ray Flacke (guitars); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Mark O'Connor (fiddle); Bela Fleck (banjo); David Schnaufer (dulcimer); Jim Horn, Quitman Dennis, Wayne Jackson (horns); Pete Wasner, Buck White, Matt Rollings (piano); Craig Duncan (hammered dulcimer); Bobby Wood (keyboards, piano, organ); Edgar Meyer (acoustic bass); Bob Wray, Mike Leech, Dave Pomeroy (bass); Milton Sledge (drums); Kenny Malone (percussion); Don Williams, Craig Bickhardt, Wendy Waldman, Beth Nielsen Chapman (background vocals).