Greatest Hits (MCA, 2007)

After 16 years and 5 number 1 hits, Trisha Yearwood, 43, finally has enough hits under her belt to make them her greatest. The 17 songs here include 2 new songs closing out the disc, actually her second such package ("Songbook: A Collection of Hits" came out in 1997).

The rest of it is in chronological order with her very first song, a career one at that, "She's In Love With the Boy" with most songs having a pop influence. The ultra-catchy "She's in Love..." about young romance and parents was a signal of great things to come. While the song was probably the most country of the lot, the Georgian's strength throughout has been her vocals whether on the uptempo (the bluesy "Wrong Side of Memphis" an "Believe Me Baby I Lied)" or the ballads ("Like We Never Had a Broken Heart," co-written by future husband Garth Brooks, and "Walkaway Joe"). Yearwood owns an expressive voice that meshes well with the material, almost always about love.

Of the solid new cuts, "Just a Cup of Coffee" is a mid-tempo song by Stephanie Davis about an old flame with a lot of fiddle in the background. "Nothin' to Lose" goes more bluesy and uptempo with both songs featuring more of Yearwood's trademark vocal delivery.

More detailed information about Yearwood and the songs would have been welcome. Ultimately, what remains is a treasure trove of songs well suited to Yearwood's standout delivery.