Around The Bend [Digipak]

Performer: Randy Travis
Producer: Kyle Lehning
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Larry Franklin (fiddle); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Randy Travis (vocals, guitar); Wes Hightower (background vocals); Steve Nathan (Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Gordon Mote (piano); Paul Leim (drums); Steve Gibson (guitar); Brent Mason (guitar); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Casey Wood (tambourine); Nashville String Machine (strings). Audio Remasterer: Doug Sax. Arranger: Bergen White. At a time when many of Randy Travis's contemporaries in the 1980s New Traditionalist country movement have either retired or moved to the lower profile of small independent labels, AROUND THE BEND reveals the North Carolina native still at the top of his powers. His 17th studio album in 22 years, AROUND THE BEND blends traditional country material such as the sweet first single "Faith In You," and the wry "Everything That I Own (Has Got A Dent)" with unexpected detours such as a faithful rendition of Bob Dylan's rueful folk-rock standard, "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." AROUND THE BEND is also available in a deluxe edition with a bonus DVD including two acoustic TV performances. Around the Bend is Randy Travis' first secular album in nearly a decade, but he was hardly inactive in the years following 1999's A Man Ain't Made of Stone. After that record, Travis settled into a gospel career, which wasn't surprising as sacred music was never far from his heart to begin with. This extended sojourn was fruitful, producing a series of good heartfelt records, yet they also had a nice side effect of putting commercialism way on the back burner, as the gospel albums were made without the charts in mind. The same thing can be said about Around the Bend, as it stands apart from trends, not defiantly but comfortably. This doesn't quite mean that Around the Bend is a pure hardcore country record, however. There are times where things get a little sweet, even syrupy -- as on the sweeping "Faith in You," a ballad that's nearly drowning in strings -- but these play by old-fashioned rules, sounding as if they were unearthed from another era. Fortunately, the big ballads are the only time that Around the Bend feels a little creaky, as the rest of the record is blessed by a light touch that gives the album a freshness. This is most evident on tunes that rely heavily on nimble acoustic guitars, such as "Turn it Around" and a surprisingly jazzy reading of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," both excellent showcases for Travis' relaxed delivery. As always, that easy touch is Travis' greatest strength, as it gives the best songs authenticity and makes the weaker songs palatable -- and as Around the Bend is a fairly strong set of songs, it's easy to enjoy Travis' gentle authority, how he slyly delivers the punch lines on "Everything That I Own (Has a Dent)" and gives "'Til I'm Dead and Gone" a muscular pulse. These are the moments that give Around the Bend some blood and force, making it a welcome secular comeback from this peerless singer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

In the 1980s, when mainstream country radio was virtually indistinguishable from middle-of-the-road pop, Randy Travis helped reground country in its stripped-down, three-chord roots. With a sweet, deep voice reminiscent of both Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard, Travis can be as great as his material allows, and has remained one of the most respected and successful singers in country music for decades. He's also turned into a hard-working actor, appearing in numerous film roles.

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