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Keith Whitley Sad Songs and Waltzes 2000, Rounder "I can’t stand to see a good man go to waste," sings the late Keith Whitley on this album’s opener "I Never Go Around Mirrors." It’s tragically prophetic, since Whitley was a young victim to the bottle. Two thirds of this album is previously released material, but it’s worth it just for the five new songs, including the George Jones-esque "(I’ve Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy." The title song, "Sad Songs and Waltzes" is also new to disc, and succinctly describes what Whitley does best—songs that make you cry and dance slowly. Whitley has that innate ability to always sing with a cry in his voice. It’s a voice both tragic and beautiful, much like a younger George Jones. He also has range to spare, ably free falling into a lower register or comfortably reaching up into a higher range. Listening to this album is like being in a barroom where the sad sack leaning over the jukebox has impeccable taste, song after song. —Dan MacIntosh