The 46-track, two-CD album features all of the songs from the four studio albums recorded on the label during these years: Lone Star State of Mind (1987), Little Love Affairs (1988), Storms (1989) and Late Night Grande Hotel (1991), as well as three previously unreleased recordings.

The compilation chronicles a period in the label's history when it signed "left-of-center" country artists including Griffith, Steve Earle, and Lyle Lovett.

[1] When Griffith's first two albums, Lone Star State of Mind and Little Love Affairs, failed to produce a major country hit, she was moved to MCA's pop division where she released Storms and Late Night Grande Hotel, the latter of which alienated her original fan base and resulted in her being dropped by the label.

[2] This set includes three bonus tracks that were previously unavailable in the United States—"Tumble and Fall", "Wooden Heart", and "Stand Your Ground".

[1] In a review of The Complete MCA Studio Recordings for PopMatters, Andrew Gilstrap called it "a definitive collection" for Griffith fans and noted that it "makes more apparent the stylistic growth she experienced during those years.