Keith Whitley has been considered by many to be one of the greatest voices of country music. He sang traditional country music, not like much of the stuff you hear on country radio today.

Sadly, on May 9, 1989 Keith was found dead of alcohol poisioning. His blood alcohol level was five times the legal limit and traces of valium and cocaine were also found. It is sad that one of the most impressive country voices was taken at such a young age. He was in his early 30's at the time of his passing.

The next year in 1990 the Greatest Hits album was released. It included two songs that had not been released until after his death: "I'm Over You" and "I Wonder Do You Think of Me".

The Tracks:

1. Don't Close Your Eyes
2. I'm No Stranger to the Rain
3. Miami, My Amy
4. When You Say Nothing At All
5. It Ain't Nothin'
6. I'm Over You
7. I Wonder Do You Think of Me
8. Teen Feet Away
9. Talk To Me Texas
10. 'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
11. Tell Lorrie I Love Her

Don't Close Your Eyes is a song about a man not wanting the woman he is with to think of her old love. "Don't close your eyes - Let it be me - Don't pretend it's him in some fantasy". I can feel the sadness in Keith's voice. He sings with such emotion that you can feel how much he wants this woman to love him for him and not think of another man. I still here this sometimes today on country radio.

I'm No Stranger to the Rain is about somebody who knows all about heartache and pain. He knows that he can always look forward to tomorrow and put the clouds behind him.

Miami, My Amy is about a guy who goes to visit this girl, Amy, in Miami. He gets on a plane to head home and she calls him to come back. It's a catchy love song. I think most anyone who has heard of Keith will associate him with this song as this was a huge hit for him.

When You Say Nothing At All is a love song about how he can tell that he is loved even when no words are said. "The smile on your face lets me know that you need me - the touch of your hand says you'll catch me if I fall". You may remember that in the last few years that Alison Krauss sang this song to do a duet with Keith's version. Both versions were simply amazing.

It Ain't Nothing has a real country song. It's got that "country twang". The song talks about how there aint nothing that a little love won't fix.

I'm Over You is about a guy who is trying to convince this girl that he is over her. "You heard I drink more than I should - that I ain't been looking all that good - someone told you I was takin' it rough".

I Wonder Do You Think of Me is about a guy who looks back to old places that he shared with an old love. He wonders if she ever thinks of him. I can feel the sadness in his voice.

Ten Feet Away is a song that tells a story. It's about a guy that is singing in a bar. He notices a woman and she can't take her eyes off of him. It goes into what they are thinking about what it will be like when they are able to be alone later that night.

Talk to Me Texas has a great beat. It is a peppy song that makes you feel like dancing, another one of those twangy really country sounding songs. It's about a guy whose love left him. He calls the operator to have him connect him with anyone in Texas.

'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose was a duet that Keith did with his wife, Lorrie Morgan. Keith and Lorrie sound so great together. It's about a man and woman who are both hurting. They reach out to each other. "Darling I can see the clouds around you and in your heart I know the sorrow rolls - but if you weep I'll be right here to hold you - 'til each tear you cry becomes a rose".

Tell Lorrie I Love Her was written by Keith about his wife, Lorrie Morgan. It was recorded at home with Keith singing and playing the guitar. The quality isn't like a studio recording and you can tell the difference when listening. It really doesn't matter though because it is just so touching. The words are beautiful and such a loving tribute to Lorrie. Keith never had a chance to record it in the studio though because his death came before he could. "Tell Lorrie I love her - Tell Lorrie I Need her - Tell her everything would be ok if I could just see her - If I leave this old world tell her she's the only girl for me".

My Thoughts:

There isn't a song on here that I don't like. I think Keith has such a great voice. He has a very traditional country sound. I think he sounds a little bit like Randy Travis.

You will hear the piano on almost every song on the CD. I noticed when listening to it that I could almost always hear a piano, which sounded really nice.

I think some of the songs are really sad especially since Keith is no longer here. I can't imagine the pain that Lorrie Morgan feels when listening especially to songs like 'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose and Tell Lorrie I Love Her. It feels really sad to me so I can't imagine her sadness at times. Tell Lorrie I Love Her sounds like Keith wrote it almost knowing that he would not be around for the long haul. I think he may have feared his own death.

Keith Whitley sings from his heart. You can hear so many different emotions in his voice. When I hear his voice it draws me out and I find I have to listen. I have heard many country singers say that he was one of their biggest influences at the start of their career.

I only wish that he could have gotten his alocholism under control and given country fans many more Greatest Hits. He had so much to offer.



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Romancing