Billy Crash Craddock - Rub It In

All Music Guide

"Rub It In," a playful love song with a melody similar to "Sugaree," is a charttopping hit from a charttopping album that crossed over to enjoy substantial success in the pop field, too. Craddock's remake of Dion's 1963 hit "Ruby, Baby" followed "Rub It In" to the top of the country charts, making Rub It In the peak of his commercial achievements in the '70s. Unlike many of Craddock's other albums, Rub It In focuses on new songs by a handful of Nashville songwriters rather than covers of classic rock roll songs; "Ruby, Baby" is the only cover. The original material is invariably strong"Farmer's Daughter" wouldn't have been out of place on Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, Razzy Bailey's "Quarter Til Three" has a subtle cajun swing, and all of the uptempo cuts have big, singalong choruses that give them instant appeal. Craddock, the socalled Mr. Country Rock, is more country than rock on this outing, but his decision to forego his typical oldies show in favor of new songs is easily j...ustifiable on the basis of the strong material at his service. - Greg Adams, All Music Guide Read more Less