The Essential Pure Prairie League

As one of country-rock's most appealing groups, Pure Prairie League contributed to the late-'70s and early-'80 era of musical interbreeding which made them firm FM radio staples, as well as country music mainstays. Their highest charted single, "Let Me Love You Tonight" at number ten in 1980, was where country superstar Vince Gill began singing lead for the band and was their third vocalist. Sounding slightly more country than rock, Pure Prarie League's music gained popularity by churning out jangly guitar strummed tunes that imitated the Eagles recipe of sturdy country love songs. This collection of their best material is a superb rundown of all their hits, with an extra two bonus tracks at the end. "Amie," their first Top 40 entry, sung by Craig Fuller, kicks off this album and represents the early stages of the band's career with its light, breezy sound. Other stand-outs on this 14 song compilation include the number 34 hit "I'm Almost Ready" and the sincere sounding "Still Right Here In My Heart," with its timeless chorus and free-range melody. Mike Reilly sings the Buddy Holly classic "That'll Be The Day" with a modest country feel, and even the semi-edgy "Don't Keep Me Hangin" holds up well amidst the other more countrified tracks on this best-of. Although Pure Prairie League weren't given quite the amount of attention they deserved, the music they produced befriended fans of both country and AOR.