The Essential by Earl Thomas Conley highlights the gruff-voiced country singer's 20 chart-topping entries from the late '70s and early '80s. These original RCA recordings include "Holding Her and Loving You," "Angel in Disguise," "Chance of Loving You," and his first number one single, "Fire and Smoke." The only complaint about this set is the omission of Conley's duets with Emmylou Harris ("We Believe in Happy Endings," number one in 1988) and Anita Pointer ("Too Many Times"). ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
Track Listings
| 1 | Fire and Smoke |
| 2 | Somewhere Between Right and Wrong |
| 3 | Heavenly Bodies |
| 4 | I Have Loved You Girl (But Not Like This Before) |
| 5 | Angel In Disguise |
| 6 | Don't Make It Easy for Me |
| 7 | Your Love's On the Line |
| 8 | Holding Her and Loving You |
| 9 | That Was a Close One |
| 10 | I Can't Win for Losin' You |
| 11 | Chance of Lovin' You |
| 12 | Honor Bound |
| 13 | Love Don't Care (Whose Heart It Breaks) |
| 14 | Nobody Falls Like a Fool |
| 15 | Once In a Blue Moon |
| 16 | Right from the Start |
| 17 | What She Is (Is Woman In Love) |
| 18 | Love Out Loud |
| 19 | What I'd Say |
| 20 | Brotherly Love - Keith Whitley & Earl Thomas Conley |