The Ways To Love A Man / Nashville By Carr

by Jason Ankeny Vikki Carr continues her detour into Nashville with The Ways to Love a Man -- the title cut, a cover of the Tammy Wynette classic, proved a big hit and its mature, thoughtful approach to the countrypolitan formula shapes Ron Bledsoe 's production throughout the LP. As on the previous Nashville by Carr , the singer exhibits a genuine respect for the country music idiom and never panders to yokel clichés. She also knows a good song when she hears one, tackling material from composers including Willie Nelson ("Healing Hands of Time") and Mickey Newbury ("Sweet Memories") while largely eschewing standards and hits in favor of lesser-known tunes perfectly pitched to her plaintive but powerful vocals. [Reissued in 2007 on an EMI Gold two-fer alongside Nashville by Carr .]