Always & Forever

Sometimes a simple voice can carry the day. Take Randy Travis: his rustic, hickory-smoked warble can almost effortlessly conjure up everyday country pleasures--basic backwoods stuff that suburban folks have long forgotten. His brand of faithful retro took Nashville by surprise on Storms of Life, his 1986 debut, but Travis--thanks to poor song choices and a handful of awkwardly-penned originals--failed to maintain those lofty standards. But this, his second effort, from 1987, stands as his best--and his most commercially viable as well. It perfectly showcases those stunning vocals and opened the door for countless similar-piped honky-tonkers. His voice still waxes strong these days, but it's great to hear him hit homer after homer in this classic Always inning.