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One of the greatest country songs of all time is Randy Travis’ “On the Other Hand” from 1986. It introduced the singer to the world, and his many hits that followed came from that audacious start. One of Nashville’s most successful producers said then it was going to be interesting to watch Travis and George Strait fight it out over the next ten years for the top spot in country music. And while Travis stayed in the race a good while, Strait really ran away with the crown. Some say it was a matter of material; others think it was some strange Music City gossip, but either way it was no contest by the time the ‘90s were half-over. George Strait was, and in some ways still is, the King of Country. Randy Travis is making a comeback and Around The Bend sounds like he has a better than fighting chance. He lives or dies by how good his songs are, and here they’re almost all way better than just good, and two (“Love Is a Gamble” and “Dig Two Graves”) are close to being contenders as classics. Even better news is how strong Randy Travis’ voice still is. He’s always had a deepness that can’t be matched, without it turning into a novelty, and the clear-eyed way he takes on sorrow without flinching has marked him from the start. Give the man extra credit, too, for covering Bob Dylan. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” isn’t an easy song to make your own. Travis takes it up into the mountains, finding its bluegrass heart and showing he’s still got the fearlessness that brought him to the fair in the first place. Not a moment too soon for Nashville, either, which has the unfortunate habit of showing their elders the door and forgetting what made its music great. Welcome back to a real singer. It’s about time.
