Chris Isaak has one of the most beautiful voices in pop music. Here's a crooner who can really deliver, with a versatile instrument that can rise to powerful heights one minute, or sound as hushed as Chet Baker the next. He's also surrounded by just the right musicians and production values.

Highlights are "Yellow Bird" and a plaintive version of Orbison's "Only the Lonely," although I also like the more uptempo hit, "Dancin'" and oh all right -- pretty much everything else. Throughout, Isaak's voice is a joy, and if you are in the mood for his gentle tropics-influenced sound, you won't be disappointed.

The recorded sound is excellent -- with a slight reverb here and there -- and only adds to the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. This is an ideal CD for a relaxing summer day, with or without a margarita.

Clocking in at only 39 minutes, and recorded in "Baja" San Francisco, this is more a placeholder than a true followup to last year's Forever Blue. Included among the thirteen tracks are reworkings of cuts from Isaak's 1985 LP Silvertone, including "Pretty Girls Don't Cry" "Back On Your Side" and "Dancin'", a cover of 1989's "Wrong to Love You," and a new version of 1993's "Two Hearts." Also included is a rendering of Roy Orbison's signature tune, "Only the Lonely," featuring what seems to be the C&H Sugar jingle used as a guitar riff. Rounding out the covers are the chestnuts "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" "Yellow Bird" and "Sweet Leilani." In total, Isaak adds only four new titles to this LP.

What's Isaak's motivation for covering Isaak? Apparently a desire to apply his signature sound to compositions recorded before his penmanship was so refined. The double tracked vocals of earlier versions have been replaced by the fuller, more confessional stylings of Chris Isaak circa 1996. The production is stripped of mid-80s gloss and given Isaak's now characteristic sound: sparse arrangements with a bass-heavy balance and crystalline guitars that compliment Isaak's languorous vocals. Given the explosive popularity of 1989's Heart Shaped World, the reworked songs provide a fan-friendly introduction to some of Isaak's earlier material.

More of an Isaak-snack than a full meal. But it's a tasty snack.

I have collected all of Chris Isaak's CD's. In my opinion, by far, Baja Sessions is the best. Every song is a winner. " Pretty Girls Don't Cry " is my favorite on this disk and it is better than the original. The fact that he does all these 'cover' tunes is great. Roy Orbison's " Only The Lonely ", Dean Martin's " Return To Me " are just a few. I cannot recommend this CD enough. There is not one clunker song on the list. Chris Isaak has taken the ' Rockabilly ' edge and shaved it off and turned it into a lovely, pleasing sound that is his own distinctive style. I love Rockabilly music but if you want a new, fresh style of singing, Chris Isaak is it and Baja Sessions is one of the best albums ( CD's ) I have ever bought.

Forget Buffett. Mix yourself a big pitcher of margaritas and find yourself a hammock, back porch swing, lawn chair or whatever you have. Then, sit back and let the sounds of Baja Sessions carry you away to Southern California or any other paradise you're long overdue for. The Roy Orbison cover is worth the price of the CD alone.

Baja Sessions is something of an unplugged album from Chris Isaak & Silvertone. It is an acoustic based album that includes reworkings of older songs, unreleased songs and covers, but they all have a Latin flavor to them. The album was inspired by jam sessions the band had on a surfing trip in Baja, Mexico and it has an appropriate loose feel. The reworked songs are all quite interesting. "Two Hearts" has a samba feel to it, "Dancin'" sounds down right lively compared to its downbeat original version and "Wrong To Love You" is slowed down to a shuffle. "Pretty Girls Don't Cry" is quite good as is the song that sums up the feel of the album "South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)". It was only a matter of time before he recorded a song by his prototype, Roy Orbison and his take on "Only The Lonely" is reverential and dead on. The album works on every level and shows why Mr. Isaak's continues to be an artist of high regard.