Spanning two discs, 20 years, and 40 songs,
Hip-O
's
Anthology
is a definitive overview of
Don Williams
' hit-making peak, containing the cream of his chart-topping
country
smashes. It's neatly divided, with the first disc devoted to his '70s work, the second to his '80s, and if the first is a bit stronger, it's only because it's more interesting to hear an artist hit his stride than settling into a signature sound. Still, there are great moments throughout both discs, all offering definitive proof that
Williams
' laid-back, warm
country-pop
was as good as mainstream
got -- it was lush and accessible, but with real
roots, unlike many of his peers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine