Crystal Gayle - When I Dream (1978) LP

When I Dream is one of the very best country-pop albums of the 1970s. Every track here is a winner. The rhythmic opener Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For with its handclaps combines the tender and the defiant attitude in a brilliant way. Heart Mender is a type of torch song like the jazzy Cry Me A River. The huge hit Hello I Love You is a catchy mid tempo tune with stirring lyrics and superb vocals.

This is followed by the weepy Talking In Your Sleep, a sad ballad with an impressive arrangement. Panting This Old Time Blue is a swinging, honky-tonk kind of thingie whilst the title track When I Dream is a true gem, perfectly arranged and perfectly delivered. The uptempo number Don't Treat Me Like A Stranger is another highlight of this magnificent album, a vehicle for showcasing Crystal's multifaceted vocal prowess.

The song Too Good To Throw Away has a light pop sound whilst dealing with weighty matters; very good advice for maintaining a successful relationship. The uptempo Wayward Wind gets a haunting treatment and once again the instrumentation excels. Someday Soon is a song of deep yearning that also stands out in my book, and this great album concludes with the melancholy I Still Miss Someone. The style is not traditional country, perhaps rather closer to classy pop music but authentic nevertheless.