Vern Gosdin - Alone (1989)

Written and released directly after a painful divorce, Alone is a moving set of honky tonk that works better in theory than it does in practise. Though Gosdin's performance is frequently sublime, his songs aren't always strong. However, when he has a good song at his disposal -- such as "Right in the Wrong Direction," "I'm Only Going Crazy," "That Just About Does It" and "I'm Still Crazy" -- his heart-felt delivery and tortured lyrics makes for some truly memorable music. © Thom Owens