This is a very old-school-sounding country album, pulling from a lot of classic influences. There are touches of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison in Ricky Van Shelton’s smooth, rich voice, along with plenty of traditional country, honky-tonk spirit, and sweeping ballads.
More than anything, the album feels completely unpretentious. It just wants to tell stories, break hearts, and make your toe tap a little. Shelton has a terrific voice, with a deeper, rounded timbre and a way of phrasing a line that brings those classic crooners to mind. There’s a little bit of rock and roll in there, too, but the overall sound is firmly rooted in country.
The opening track, “I’ve Cried My Last Tear for You,” sets the tone with a catchy melody and a swinging rhythm. Shelton sounds like he could have stepped out of the 50s, and I can easily imagine Elvis recording this one. It’s a fun, uncomplicated country song with plenty of old-school charm, without leaning too heavily on the twang.
The album really shines when Shelton slows things down. “Statue of a Fool” has that sweeping, almost crooner-like quality, with mournful strings and a dramatic vocal. “You Would Do the Same for Me” leans more toward traditional country, with acoustic guitar, slide guitar, and a gentle gallop to the beat. Shelton adjusts his delivery to suit the song, sounding a little more country here while keeping that smooth, rich tone that makes his voice so appealing.
“Not That I Care” is another classic country ballad that gives him room to show off his phrasing. There’s a real knack for making these songs feel heartfelt without pushing too hard, and it’s one of the things that surprised me most about the album. Country isn’t usually my genre, but I have a real soft spot for this kind of sad, heartfelt material.
The uptempo songs offer a different kind of fun. “Love Is Burnin’” has a driving rhythm that brings Johnny Cash to mind, paired with Shelton’s Elvis-like vocal style. There’s a retro rockabilly feel to it, and the song moves along with an infectious energy.
He sounds great on “Oh, Pretty Woman,” too, taking on Roy Orbison’s classic hit. It doesn’t have quite the same rock-and-roll bite as the original, but Shelton has that same old-school vocal sensibility. He could easily have fronted an Elvis or Roy Orbison tribute band, and I mean that as a compliment. That style of singing comes naturally to him.
“I Still Love You” might be the standout. It’s probably the gentlest ballad on the album, with a beautiful melody and a tender, heartfelt vocal that lets the emotion come through without overselling it.
The album closes with “Sweet Memories,” a duet with Brenda Lee. It’s a fun little surprise, bringing two distinctive voices together for a song that fits the record’s classic sensibility.
Overall, RVS III is a really solid classic country album. The production is polished, the songs are well chosen, and Shelton has the kind of voice that can make familiar country themes feel fresh.
Verdict: Good
Official Site | Spotify | Bandcamp