Collin Raye
Album: Everlasting
Label: Cleopatra
Tracks: 13
Website: http://collinraye.com

I will be honest; thanks to my Dad, Collin Raye was one of my earliest encounters with music and one of our USA trip highlights was seeing him perform in Denver, Colorado.

Needless to say, I was delighted to see a new CD was due, then somewhat surprised by its content. Raye explains his selections as "Before coming to Nashville, I played years in the casino's, waiting to be discovered," says the 54 year old Raye. "These are songs that I would perform. These are the artists that moved me and the songs I truly love." Perhaps then, it is little surprise that he made an unusual choice work.

What is clear from the outset is that vocally, Collin Raye is as exceptional a singer as he ever was; his voice has maintained that clear, sultry, mature sound with which he wowed us all in the 90s.

The collection comprises an eclectic collection of cover songs; songs specially selected from some of Raye's most admired artists: Bryan Adams, Billy Joel, the Bee Gees, Bread, Laura Branigan, Boz Skaggs and Elton John, amongst others. Also, rather unusually, included is Raye's version of Dan Fogelberg's thirty five year old version of Same Old Lang Syne, which Raye has apparently wanted to record for many years. The time he has waited has certainly allowed him to make it entirely his own.

I am hoping this collection heralds Raye's return to the music scene; this will certainly keep me going until his next offering. Certainly worth adding to your collection whether a longtime fan, or new to his music. If the latter applies to you, pick up "Direct Hits" at the same time, for an overview of his career up until this release!

Helen Mitchell