This isn't technically a best-of collection; it's full of stripped-down arrangements and live duet versions of some of Tom Russell's finest songs. The veteran singer/songwriter had already amassed an impressive discography by the time The Long Way Around was released in 1997, and this album ends up making a fine guide to Russell's greatest compositions even if they aren't heard here in their original forms. In fact, many of the tunes gain even greater impact in these versions, thanks in part to Russell's duet partners. Fellow Americana linchpins Dave Alvin, Nanci Griffith, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Iris Dement, and Katy Moffat all join in with Russell over the course of the record. And while the trusty troubadour's authoritative country/folk baritone bears plenty of gravitas all by itself, these settings shed new light on his already impressive tunes. With his knack for richly detailed narrative, Russell is nothing if not a storyteller. Hearing his stories via multiple voices only enhances their impact.