No Regrets

Although it was recorded in 1988, the photo of on the cover of harks back to an earlier time. In fact, he looks as though he's getting ready to sell some innocent property in the Florida swamp. But the listener need have no fear. 's old-fashioned fashion sense only reflects his musical taste, firmly planted in , , and from the '20s, '30s, and '40s. He's equally at home with and ' as he is with The spare production performed by luminaries like banjoist , violinist , and dobroist gives these songs a nice, simple underpinning. 's husky vocals add the last ingredient needed for fine versions of He seems to have a special penchant for old ' songs, but he's smart enough to pick lesser-known jewels like The only drawback to the whole affair is how straightforward it is. While the songs and vocals are technically solid, they lack the spark that made earlier albums something special. Still, is an enjoyable album and fans will appreciate its 2004 reissue on CD. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.