's 2013 two-fer combines ' 1970 album with its 1971 sequel, both ranking among his finest country efforts. slightly edges out its sequel in terms of consistency, partially because it's anchored on a couple of major hits ("Once More with Feeling," "She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye"), but is no slouch, containing a bunch of pure hard country, lots of barroom weepers and barrelhouse rockers. As always, never does anything halfway -- witness how he refashions 's "Life's Little Up and Downs" to suit his own purposes, turning it into something defiant, not mournful -- and that's the appeal. always found ways to turn songs, either familiar or unknown, into his own, and during the early '70s he was at a creative peak (and something of a commercial one, too), so this is laden with rich, wonderful music that rewards many repeat listens. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine