We Must Believe in Magic

It is almost forgotten now, but from the late 1970s into the early 1980s, Nashville produced several adult-contemporary crossover hits that spanned the country and pop charts. Crystal Gayle's ‘Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,’ a major hit on both charts in 1977, represents that era. It combines the nostalgic charm of a 1950s popular song with a retro mood and contemporary pop, while also being subtly country: a cleverly crafted hybrid.

Featuring that hit, this is Gayle's fourth album. As Loretta Lynn's younger sister, she shares something of her family sound, but her restrained yet emotionally rich vocal style is distinctly her own. The other tracks remain within country territory. As she moved on to Columbia and Warner, each successive album brought a greater degree of crossover. Pop listeners might prefer those later records. Yet we should remember that ‘Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ contains Gayle's appeal in its purest form.