Customer Reviews

You & You Alone

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After getting away from his country roots a little bit (at least in my opinion) in the mid-90s, Randy Travis righted himself big time in 1998. Five hits came off this record--the ballads "Out Of My Bones", "Spirit Of A Boy, Wisdom Of A Man" and the title song "You And You Alone"; the uptempo, cautionary song "The Hole"; and the toe-tapping "Stranger In My Mirror". Other highlights are "I Did My Part(with Patrick Swayze) and "I'm Still Here, You're Still Gone"(with Alison Krauss and her Union Station bandmate, Dan Tyminski). However, the best song on the album, in my opinion, is the cowboy song "A Horse Called Music". It's well-written and has a great story. All in all, every song here is outstanding. You And You Alone, Randy's first DreamWorks Records release, reestablished him as one of country music's stars.

I didn't like country music--hardly any modern music, actually--and time was I made fun of folks that listened to hick tunes. But as I was channel surfing one day on my car radio, I stumbled across Randy Travis' "The Hole." It was a revelation. It was music with lyrics that flowed, had some substance, and taught a good message. And it was upbeat. And it was sung by a man with an unapologetic twang in his voice, a voice textured but smooth, like well-worn leather. And I was hooked. "You and You Alone" was my first country album, and it's still my favorite. Perhaps, like a first love, it'll always be one of my "fond things."

This is his best album, beating "8x10" hands-down. This album was good enough to convert me. Now 4 of the 5 station presets on my car radio are--country. I laugh at myself.

Blame it all on Randy.

Randy Travis made a strong comeback in '98 with You And You Alone. Just before leaving Warner Brothers, his original record label, Randy released some songs that in my opinion weren't "country" enough. However, when he went to DreamWorks and co-produced this album with James Stroud and Byron Gallimore, Randy came out with his best music in years.

The initial single off this record, the lost-love ballad "Out Of My Bones", was Randy's first #1 song in over four years. Anyone who listens can catch the heartache in Randy's voice as he struggles to let go of the memory of an old love--to keep walking "till the fever's gone". The reflective coming-of-age song "Spirit Of A Boy, Wisdom Of A Man" and the title track "You And You Alone" were also big hits off this album. Still another highlight is "I Did My Part". This song was from the soundtrack of the movie "Black Dog", which Randy co-starred in, and features background vocals by Patrick Swayze, another of the film's stars. The songs I just mentioned are all great songs. However, the best song on the record, at least in my opinion, is the cowboy song "A Horse Called Music". It is well-written, and it tells a great story of getting old, lost love, and life on the range.

There's no shortage of upbeat songs here, though. Randy had a Top 5 hit with "The Hole", Skip Ewing and James D. Hicks' toe-tapping, cautionary song about the futile search for riches. It's an enjoyable song. So are the bouncy tune "Only Worse", in which the guy is telling his friend about his broken-up romance("I'm hangin' by a thread from the southern end of my rope" and "It's kind of like a heartache, only worse"); the offbeat romantic song "Stranger In My Mirror"("There's a stranger in my mirror who don't know how to behave/He keeps grinnin' 'bout you/And whistlin' tunes/While he ought to be watchin' me shave"); and the pumping song "I'm Still Here, You're Still Gone". On the latter song, Alison Krauss and one of her Union Station bandmates, Dan Tyminski, provide the vocal harmony.

Randy Travis was one of country music's "New Traditionalists" in the late '80s and early '90s. After going through a few down years, he righted himself big time in '98 with this album, and he has continued to produce great music. You And You Alone reestablished Randy as one of country music's stars.

Normally speaking, I'm not a traditional country fan. Alan Jackson does good here and there, but I like country songs that lean a little toward the pop side. But Randy Travis is my one exception. His distquinishable voice makes him a delight, no matter what he sings. (He's got a gospel album out, and though I haven't heard it yet, I can imagine Randy singing "Amazing Grace.") Back to this album. It starts off with the lesson-teaching "The Hole", continues with the balad "Out of My Bones" and the story-telling "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man." I don't have enough room to tell you all about every song, so I'll sum up the rest. Some catchy tunes--"Only Worse", "I'm Still Here . . ." "Stranger in My Mirror"--and some beautiful balads--"Horse Called Music", "Easy To Love You", "Satisfied Mind", and the title track. The song "I Did My Part", by the way, features Patrick Swayze. Randy is also a good actor (check out "Black Dog" to find out why) and this just makes him a better singer. By this album, and discover the magic of Randy Travis.

The music in this album took me back to the early days of Randy Travis. The music is updated in sound somewhat, and Travis' voice has matured, his range is broader, and the baritone is deeper, even lower, but the famous control of the voice remains, and the incredible emotion is there as plaintive as ever. "The Hole" is a great up-tempo beat with a great lyric; "One Word Song" is a song any woman would love to be the subject of; "Only Worse," and "Stanger In My Mirror," are typical Travis, the first a sad song done in a humorous lyric, the second a surprised look at the effects of love, also done humorously, and both up-tempo. Everyone by now has heard "Out of My Bones," a little diffferent sound for Randy, but a great song. I personally hope the title track "You and You Alone" will be a single. The wonderful blend of Randy's voice with Vince Gill doing harmony is the most beautiful sound I've heard in a very long time. "Satisfied Mind" spans from gentle emotion to powerful conviction, and speaks of devotion to a mate, and the satisfaction of a life well-lived. My favorite, in fact my favorite song of any album right now, is the exquisite "Horse Called Music." It's mystical quality leaves an image in the mind that remains long after the bass has stopped vibrating from Travis incredible low range. I've liked all of Randy's albums, but this one is a cut above.

Travis has put forth a substantial album here - one that could be an all-timer. "Horse" & "One Word Song" are stunningly beautiful. Country music distilled to its pure essence. Travis is now one of only a few left, in company of Dwight Yokum & Emmylou Harris. Hopefully this won't be the last. Buy the album now.

Other great work of Randy Travis. Recomended to the fans of Randy and the Great Country Music. Essential for the lovers of this Wonderful Music.

I bought this CD for one song specifically but found several other songs on here that made it a good CD. If you're a Randy Travis fan then you'll probably find this CD worth while.

This just may be Randy Travis's very best CD! Out Of My Bones is one of my favorites and this CD just gets better from there! A Horse Called Music is so beautiful! Only Worse is great! This is one of the best CDs I own! Nobody sings like Randy Travis and this is him at his very best!!

Really have enjoyed this CD. This is the first of Randy's music I have bought. He has a great voice. I love all of the songs. First heard him sing "Horse Called Music" on Imus.