Favorites caps off the first nine years of Billy Yates' career as a recording artist.  As its title suggests, it is a collection of singles and album tracks that were fan favorites from his previous five studio albums.
 
Possibly the two most essential tracks on this album are a "Choices" and "Flowers," both of which appeared on Billy's now-out-of-print debut album.  The former was a minor hit for George Jones, who duets with Billy on this re-recorded version.  The soft fiddle-driven arrangement along with the ever-distinctive warble of the Possum himself make "Choices" a definite album highlight.  The closing track "Flowers," Billy's lone Top 40 hit on Country Radio, is a regret-filled ballad in which a man looks back on a mistake he has made that his woman paid the ultimate price for.  It arguably ranks as one of the most emotionally hard-hitting tracks on the album.
 
It would be worth buying the whole album for those two tracks alone, but there are plenty of other highlights as well.  If you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned country weeper to mend your broken heart, "All By My Lonesome," with its plaintive vocal delivery and mourning fiddle and steel, is just the track for you.  Besides the heartbreak, Favorites also includes a good dose of light-hearted humor.  "Daddy Had a Cardiac and Momma Got a Cadillac" is a genuinely funny tale of a cheated spouse's revenge.  Organic production is another strong asset, especially on "Down At the Station."  On this track, the instrumentation chugs right along just like the train that brings Billy no-good ex-lover back into town.  On the Spanish-guitar-laced puppy love tale "Me Marie," the sprightly and energetic beat sounds just as enchanted and lovestruck as the song's narrator.  And if you're a lover of good old fashioned bluegrass music, then you'll surely enjoy getting high on "Smoking Grass."
 
The album weighs in at a hefty 21 tracks, but there are very few disposable inclusions.  The album could easily do without "Too Country And Proud Of It," which sounds too much like your standard "country and proud of it" song.  The only other clunker is "Alcohol Abuse," a rather hokey novelty ditty that is ultimately done in by an overly busy musical arrangement.
 
Favorites ends up a rock-solid collection showcasing many different sides of Billy's artistic repertoire.  It covers an impressive variety of emotions and musical styles within its track listing.  There could hardly be a finer introduction to such a talented artist.  Favorites is overall an excellent addition to any country music collection.

You can support Billy Yates by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.