Lefty Frizzell - Country Favorites (1966)

With a title such as this, the listener might expect a greatest-hits collection, and several repackagings emphasizing that kind of look hasn't helped clear up the confusion. Any collection by this uniquely smooth and expressive country singer will usually contain a few songs that developed into hits and/or country standards, such is the majesty of Frizzell, and this album is no exception. Beginning with a gorgeous vocal on "A King Without A Queen," the program continues through the rollicking "My Baby's Just Like Money," fat with honky tonk piano, and even counting in with a riff that Nina Simone also put to good use, among others. Other great numbers include "Run 'Em Off" and "Give Me More, More, More," which is a love song and not a description of merger and sell-off business tactics in the '80s. Although this is a singer who could easily hold interest without any backup musicians, it would have been nice to at least credit the session players who add so many nice touches, especially the lead guitar and somewhat under-recorded steel guitar. The abbreviated playing time might not strike buyers as much of a bargain, as the entire album could have fit on one side of the vinyl. © Eugene Chadbourne