New Place to Begin

Liner Note Author: Laurence Zwisohn.
In 1983, Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Price signed a deal with Viva Records, a label co-owned by veteran producer/guitarist Tommy "Snuff" Garrett and actor Clint Eastwood. Although a number of tracks were recorded by Garrett and Price during that period, only one album (1983's Master of the Art) and a handful of singles were ever released by Viva. A few of the songs appeared in the Eastwood films Honky Tonk Man and Any Which Way You Can, but when Garrett fell ill, the sessions and eventually the label fell by the wayside. This release compiles the best of the Garrett-produced singles as well as seven unreleased tracks from the sessions. Songs like "Everyone Gets Crazy Now and Then" and the fine title cut show a nice mix of Price's classic honky tonk and the pop influence that Garrett brought to the table. Among the unreleased songs are some nice, warm ballads showcasing Price's rich baritone, and the playing is sharp throughout all of the tracks. While not groundbreaking, these are some solid late-career tracks by a country music legend paired with a producer who knew how to bring out his best. ~ Timothy Monger