CMT Blog: Archive

Patty Loveless has just finished working on an album of country classics, which comes out Sept. 9. I’m listening to an advance copy as I write this, and I feel rejuvenated just hearing her country voice digging into her country roots. I especially love her rendition of “Sleepless Nights,” the title track of the new album. The song was never a country hit for anyone, but any fan of Gram Parsons will immediately recognize it. (That’s Vince Gill singing harmony with her.) The steel guitar intro of “Crazy Arms” is exquisite as well. Her husband, Emory Gordy Jr., serves as producer, which is certainly a stamp of approval.

I remember when she released “Here I Am” and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” as successful back-to-back singles, and how I expected her next album would have a bunch of sad songs on it. And I was wrong — Trouble With the Truth is steeped in confidence. A decade later, I still find myself quoting this lyric from the title track: “The trouble with the truth is it’s just what I need to hear.” Indeed. On the flip side, whenever I’m trying to compose myself, I sometimes quietly whisper, “Come on, Patty. Get it together.” It helps, too! (FYI: That’s a line from “I Try to Think About Elvis.” I am not living a double life.)

Loveless switched record labels about halfway through her career, so it’s hard to find a single compilation that does her justice. But now that we’re living in a digital world, it’s really easy to create your own Patty Loveless mix. Here’s mine:

“Timber, I’m Falling in Love”
“Chains”
“Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way)”
“Blame It On Your Heart”
“I Try to Think About Elvis”
“Here I Am”
“You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”
“When the Fallen Angels Fly”
“The Trouble With the Truth”
“You Can Feel Bad”
“Lonely Too Long”
“You Don’t Seem to Miss Me”
“To Have You Back Again”
“You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive”
“Last Thing on My Mind”
“On Your Way Home”
“Keep Your Distance”