Entertainment Weekly (9/25/98, p.107) - "Myles not only has a memorable voice, but she writes a mean tune....Gram Parsons' name is often invoked; in Myles' case, comparison with the great '70s avatar of country rock is justified." - Rating: A-
Personnel: Heather Myles (vocals, acoustic guitar); Merle Haggard (vocals); Bob Gothar (acoustic & electric guitars); Pete Anderson (guitar); Marty Rifkin (steel guitar, dobro, mandolin); Gary Brandin (steel guitar); Scott Joss (fiddle); Skip Edwards (piano, organ); Keith Rosier (acoustic bass); Taras Prodaniuk, Ray Kennedy (bass); Larry Mitchell (drums); Brantley Kearns, Irene McCullough, Kelly McGuire (background vocals).
Recorded at Mad Dog Studios, Burbank, California and The Bradley Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Jon Weisberger.
HIGHWAYS & HONKY TONKS is like an open window letting in some fresh air and sunshine on the overly formulaic '90s country music scene. Myles pays homage to the traditions of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard (Myles' duet partner on "No One is Gonna Love You Better") and Loretta Lynn, without ever sounding anachronistic or self-conscious. Like Dwight Yoakam, she manages to make the classic country approach seem contemporary without sacrificing it on the altar of overproduction. There's a hint of Buddy Hollyish rock & roll here and there a la Monte Warden (whose fans could do worse than to check out this disc), but this is no pop crossover. As the title implies, Myles is honky tonk at heart, and a fair songwriter to boot.