Reviewed by Dave Brassington

At a time when country music was in danger of losing its identity in the early 1980s, this traditional country singer from Kentucky suddenly hit the country charts in a big way with a whole slew of top country hits and bestselling albums which included recording a successful live album in London where he was even joined on stage by Elvis Costello, and being voted Britain's favourite country singer! This twofer brings together 1986's 'Love's Gonna Get Ya!' and 1988's 'Comin' Home To Stay' and demonstrate that Ricky and his band were adept at playing a lot of the older, more traditional country and bluegrass material he had been raised on, but modernized with a more electric sound. It has to be said though that these two particular albums did not produce the big hits of previous releases. This is not to say that they were bad albums, and they did provide him with some good country hits. Of the two I always thought 'Love's Gonna Get Ya!' was the better with highlights including a superb version of the old Everly Brothers song "I Wonder If I Care As Much", the Bill Monroe gospel classic "Walkin' In Jerusalem" and a terrific and very catchy duet with his wife "Love Can't Get Better Than This" which won Ricky and Sharon the CMA vocal duet award of the year in 1987. A nice Christmas song "New Star Shining" concludes an album which overall indicated an increased spiritual awareness by Ricky. 'Comin' Home To Stay' has another fine duet with Sharon, "Home Is Wherever You Are" and a really exceptional gospel track "If You Don't Believe The Bible". There is also a great version of the old Bob Wills "San Antonio Rose" classic, rather surprising as western swing is not a type of music you normally associate with someone born and raised in the bluegrass state! Overall, an enjoyable two album package.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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