(BNA Records, 1995)
by Sandra L. Toney
After four country albums and one Christmas album under her belt, Lorrie Morgan's latest release, Lorrie Morgan: Greatest Hits, is certainly no surprise from this long-time country singer. Morgan literally grew up around country music. Her father was the legendary country singer, George Morgan. Once grown, Lorrie married well-known country musician, Keith Whitley. Tragically, Whitley died and left Lorrie a young widow.
Morgan's tragic loss, however, hasn't hurt her talent nor her career. Lorrie Morgan: Greatest Hits reminds Morgan's fans all she has accomplished over the years and the promise of much more to come. The song that actually made Morgan a star overnight and threw her into the music spotlight, "Something in Red," from the album with the same name (BNA Records, 1990), was an obvious choice for this greatest hits release. Two other songs from that album, "Except for Monday," and "A Picture of Me (Without You)," are also present on this record.
From Leave the Lights On (BNA Records, 1988), Lorrie's first release, "Five Minutes," and "Dear Me," are also included, both of which were hits for Morgan when originally recorded back in 1988.
Morgan's follow-up album to the successful Something in Red was entitled Watch Me (BNA, 1992), which produced quite a number of hits for her. Her two attitude songs from the album, the title hit, "Watch Me," and "What Part of No," have been included as greatest hits as well (and should be).
One glaring omission from this collection of greatest hits is the songs from Morgan's most recent album, War Paint (BNA, 1994). This album produced, in my opinion, some of Morgan's best work yet. The title song, "War Paint," the touching duet with Sammy Kershaw, "A Good Year for the Roses," and the tune to party with, "My Night to Howl" all should have been included on this album and is greatly missed by all.
For the Lorrie Morgan fans who already own all of her previous release, three new songs appear on the album. "Standing Tall," "Back In Your Arms Again," and the hit song that seems to sum up Morgan's own life, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," are all welcome additions to the already familiar songs we know and love.
"'Til A Tear Becomes a Rose" (RCA, 1990), a duet with late husband Whitley, makes a nice conclusion for Morgan's first greatest hits album. I'm sure Keith would be proud of his wife's courage and strength (as her song, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" states) as she continues her successful singing career.
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