Anthology Vol. 1: Cowboy Man on CD

"When he emerged in the mid-1980s at the dawn of new traditionalism, Lyle Lovett had more than a craggy visage to set him apart. His subtle wit, sly humor, and Texas-sized musical eclecticism made him a force. Built around 13 songs from his first three albums, this compendium resoundingly affirms those gifts. One hears his musical metamorphosis from the beginning, through the stomping blues of "Why I Don't Know," the honky-tonk talking blues "Give Back My Heart," and the folkier "L.A. County" and "If I Had a Boat." Nine numbers, including the Top 10 "Cowboy Man," appeared on singles (most as A-sides). The biggest oddities here are two newly recorded tracks, "The Truck Song" and "San Antonio Girl." They are Lovett's first new recordings in five years, and they share a nearly identical melody. Moreover, they really don't fit this context, though they may prompt hardcore fans to buy 13 songs they probably already own. Let's hope Lovett's working on an entire album where these two numbers will make more sense. TRACKLISTING: 1. The Truck Song 2. Cowboy Man 3. God Will 4. Farther Down The Line 5. This Old Porch 6. Why I Don't Know 7. If I Were The Man You Wanted 8. San Antonio Girl 9. If I Had A Boat 10. Give Back My Heart 11. I Loved You Yesterday 12. Walk Through The Bottomland 13. L.A County 14. Which Way Does That Old Pony Run