Windsor Star
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/entertainment/story.html?id=87584...
Travis back to country roots
Ted Shaw, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, July 25, 2008
He used to be a new traditionalist, but the country that Randy Travis sings is old
hat now.
The 49-year-old crooner brought his revamped country show to a sold-out Caesars Windsor
Colosseum on Thursday.
Travis is back singing popular country songs after eight years of recording nothing but gospel music.
His latest album, Around The Bend, is a return to his traditional country roots.
His voice, a burnished baritone which he uses sparingly but effectively, is one of
the most distinctive in country music.
He shows it off to best effect in the many ballads and love songs that highlight
his career.
The touching I Told You So was one of the emotional highs of the concert, along with
On The Other Hand, an audience favourite.
He opened with Diggin' Up Bones, his first hit from 1986's Storms of Life debut,
and touched on all phases of his nearly quarter-century career.
A couple of gospel songs -- Raise Him Up and Pray For The Fish -- were a nod to the
last few albums.
He has said he will alternate between gospel and straight country in the future.
Travis hardly breaks a sweat in performance.
He's as laidback and easy-going as many of his hits.
Most of the time he had an acoustic Gibson strapped over his shoulder, but he rarely
played it.
And that was just fine with a crack, eight-piece backing band, many of whom have
been with Travis throughout his career.
The longest-serving is fiddler David Johnson, who had a spotlight solo during the
1988 hit, Deeper Than the Holler.
Not a prolific songwriter, Travis relies on his great ears and interpretive skills.
His cover of Roger Miller's King of the Road had the audience singing along lustily,
as bass player and backup singer Larry Beaird provided the deep baritone part.
Then, the pace slowed for a beautiful, surprising version of John Lennon's Nowhere
Man, on which he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar and was backed by Steve Hansen
on dobro.
A request found him strumming the older but still effective Promises, and after he
was done even the band applauded.
tshaw@thestar.canwest.com
© The Windsor Star 2008