Abilene - Single

Album Review

Collectables' reissue of George Hamilton IV's Abilene contains the original album, plus three bonus tracks which include the hits "Why Don't They Understand" and "A Rose and a Baby Ruth." The hits augment an album that, as its subtitle suggest, leans more toward folk songs. Of course, these songs aren't given folk arrangements — they are folk songs and standards, like "The Roving Gambler" and "You Are My Sunshine," given appealingly pop arrangements. There are a few dull spots on the record, but on the whole it's quite entertaining, and it's made even better with the bonus tracks.