"Unchained Melody" and "Mack the Knife" were performed by Aiken when he was a contestant on American Idol's second season.

In an article written after interviewing Aiken, The News & Observer reported that "... the album features a guest turn by saxophonist and label-mate David Sanborn on the Sammy Davis Jr. classic 'What Kind of Fool Am I?'

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying "It’s handsomely tailored music that fits Aiken’s strengths quite well.

Indeed, he’s never seemed more at home on a record; nothing may challenge him but he’s never straining, seeming happier singing standards than he did churning out contemporary classics on A Thousand Different Ways, winding up with something that might be the best representation yet of his peculiar charms.

"[1] Looking like a worn sleeve from a 1950s or 1960s LP, the Tried and True album art lists the songs included on the front cover.