Best Always is the nineteenth studio album released by American country artist Crystal Gayle. The album was released in 1993 on Branson Entertainment and was co-produced by Gayle as well. The album was her first to be released on an independent label and contained a mix of re-recordings of some of Gayle’s songs and cover versions of songs originally recorded by others.

Best Always
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 1993
StudioThe Music Mill, Sound Emporium, Soundshop Studios, Reflections Studio and Emerald Sound Studios (Nashville, Tennessee).
GenreCountry
Length33:25
LabelBranson Entertainment
Producer
  • John Donegan
  • Crystal Gayle
  • Jay Patten
Crystal Gayle chronology
Three Good Reasons
(1992)
Best Always
(1993)
Someday
(1995)

Background

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During the early 1990s, Crystal Gayle had been recording for the major labels Capitol and Liberty Records. After 1992, she departed from these labels and began recording for smaller labels. The first independent label she recorded under was Branson Entertainment, which Best Always was released through.[1] The album contained cover versions of songs Gayle had previously recorded. Examples of this included Gayle's former hits from 1970s and 80s, "When I Dream" and "Ready for the Times to Get Better". Best Always also featured cover versions of songs Gayle had not yet recorded. Among these were "Crazy" by Patsy Cline and Irving Berlin's "Always".[2]

Critical reception and release

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The album received 2 out of 5 stars from Allmusic.[3]

Best Always was officially released in July 1993 via Branson Entertainment. The album was released in both cassette and compact disc versions. In later editions, the album was released via Southpaw Music Productions.[4]

Track listing

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Best Always[3][2]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original ArtistLength
1."Ready for the Times to Get Better"Crystal Gayle3:24
2."Crazy"Patsy Cline2:47
3."For the Good Times"Ray Price3:21
4."Silver Threads and Golden Needles"
Wanda Jackson2:14
5."When I Dream"Crystal Gayle3:40
6."Talking in Your Sleep"
Crystal Gayle2:55
7."Oh, Lonesome Me"Don Gibson2:53
8."I Fall to Pieces"Patsy Cline2:58
9."Beyond You"
  • Bill Gatzimos
  • Crystal Gayle
Crystal Gayle2:16
10."Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"Crystal Gayle2:44
11."Break My Mind"George Hamilton IV2:11
12."Always"Henry Burr2:37
Total length:33:25

Personnel

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All credits are adapted from Allmusic.[5]

Musicians

  • Crystal Gayle – lead vocals, backing vocals
  • Charles Cochran – acoustic piano, keyboards
  • Dean Slocum – acoustic piano, keyboards
  • Chris Leuzinger – acoustic guitar, electric guitars
  • Mike Loudermilk – acoustic guitar, electric guitars
  • Jay Patten – acoustic guitar, mandolin, saxophones
  • Duncan Mullins – bass
  • Tony Newman – drums
  • Kenny Malone – percussion
  • Buddy Spicherfiddle, viola
  • Jim Ferguson – backing vocals


Creative

  • Ron Keith – photography
  • Kent Wells – graphic design

Technical

  • John Donegan – producer
  • Crystal Gayle – producer
  • Jay Patten – producer
  • Joe Scalfe – engineer
  • David Sinko – engineer
  • John "JD" Dickson – additional engineer
  • Ronny Light – additional engineer
  • Steve Tillisch – mixing
  • Paula Montondo – mix assistant
  • Glenn Meadows – mastering at Masterfonics (Nashville, Tennessee)

References

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  1. ^ Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. London, UK: Penguin Book LTD. p. 440.
  2. ^ a b Best Always Liner Notes (Cassette insert). Branson Entertainment. 1993.
  3. ^ a b "Best Always -- Crystal Gayle -- Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Best Always -- Crystal Gayle (Releases)". Discogs. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Best Always -- Crystal Gayle -- Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 January 2020.