Hang on to Your Heart

by Bruce Eder Wow! Even 15 years on, the mix of soaring harmonies, long, lyrical melodic lines, acoustic-textured production, and killer hooks on this record make it an extraordinary listening experience. This is where country music melds with soul -- not blue-eyed soul of the Righteous Brothers' or the Action's variety, but where white country singers find that depth and sincerity, in country music, that one associates with soul music. There's not a weak cut, or even a flaccid moment on these ten cuts -- four of the songs here were number one hits, but anything here could have been in their place. The songs run the gamut from "She Likes Her Lovin'," a delightfully libidinous look at love from the distaff side, to "Hang on to Your Heart," one of the most achingly romantic songs of its era. Side two rocks a little harder than side one, but all of it is very well played and sung even better.