Gene Watson - Best Of The Best: 25 Greatest Hits

Gene Watson has delivered some of Country Music's most classic moments since his first hit single, "Love In The Hot Afternoon," charted back in 1975. Along the way, he has enjoyed hits for Capitol, MCA, Epic, and Warner Brothers. While that resume is very much impressive, with his recorded output spread throughout so many labels, it's hard to put them all together on one collection. That is, until now. Watson has gone back and re-recorded many of his biggest records over the years, and they are featured...

Granger Smith - Live At The Chicken: 11-20-11

I've stated before that I consider myself to be a huge fan of Granger Smith. He's a great representative of Texas Music, without having to refer to Willie, Waylon, and Armadillos every other line. (That's somewhat of an exaggeration, but there are lot of songs about Armadillos from Texas-based artists!) He might actually fit more into a Pop-Country singer-songwriter set than most in the format, but that's a very good thing, when the music sounds like this. Recorded at the highly-esteemed Dixie Chicken, Smith weaves...

Various Artists - Waylon: The Music Inside, Volume 2

The music of Waylon Jennings has inspired countless artists in Country Music (and outside) over the years. Last year, one of the musical highlights of the year was a mufti-artist tribute to Jennings that included current stars Trace Adkins and Jamey Johnson, but focused on many of Americana's top stars performing Jennings' hits. For Volume 2, producer Witt Stewart has assembled many of the top mainstream acts of the format tipping the hat to 'Ol' Waylon.' Dierks Bentley kicks off the set with "Lonesome, On'ry...

The Iveys – Days and Nights

The Iveys, three siblings from El Paso, Texas, have released their second studio EP, Days and Nights and it is a treat to the ears. The group, made up of frontman Arlen Ivey and backed by his sisters, Jessica and Jillian, have come up with an album pleasurably reminiscent of The Dream Academy’s “Life In A Northern Town” with their matched harmonies and soft rock /folk sound. On their website, The Iveys claim to be a rock band. I disagree...

Various Artists – Meet Me At Mardi Gras

If you can’t get down to the Crescent City during Carnival season (January 6 – February 21 this year), then arguably, the next best thing would be to pour yourself a stiff Sazerac cocktail at home and listen to the sounds of the new Rounder release, “Meet Me At Mardi Gras.” This fine, authentically Bourbon Street CD collection of twelve classics, previously recorded and new parade and party songs captures the rich creole and “Nawlins”-style r & b holiday tradition that culminates...

Gillian Welch – The Harrow & The Harvest

Gillian Welch has developed a reputation as one of the most respected singer-songwriters among critics and journalists. There’s no doubt that she deserves such a lofty position, as her music has always embodied the best among what is classified as Americana music. That being said, she has really outdone herself with this collection. Kicking off with the old-timey sounding “Scarlet Town,” and continuing all the way through the end of the disc, she maintains her high quality of excellence – and just maybe...

The All Star Jam - Live At Graves Mountain

There's nothing quite like the fellowship among musicians when Bluegrass acts get together, and this set proves that about as well as it can. Many of the genre's top acts combine their talents several times over on this one-of-a-kind collection. Recorded in Syria, VA and hosted by Bluegrass radio giant Kyle Cantrell, this collection gets things going in a positive direction from the opening strains of Sammy Shelor's banjo licks on the standard "More Pretty Girls Than One," performed by the Crowe Brothers Things stay in...

Martina McBride - Hits And More

From 1992-2011, Martina McBride made some of the most captivating music of Country Music history for one label - RCA Records. From her very first single, the largely forgotten "The Time Has Come," all the way through to her final major hit with the label, "Wrong Baby Wrong," she churned out hit after hit for the label. With her moving over to Republic Nashville, RCA has released this powerful collection of her best during her almost two-decade run with the label, and listening to it makes you stand back a bit...

Adam Baker – Beyond The Sun

Glasgow, Scotland Christian artist Adam Baker reaches out to deliver uncomplicated communiques of faith in God. His latest self-released CD – “Beyond The Sun” – offers eight new songs by the singer/songwriter, sung unerringly from his heart, with listeners’ hearts dead-on in the cross-hairs. Baker’s verse lyrics are direct and conversational, put to music with a trademark “Horse With No Name” melodic flat-line that makes for...

Erisa Rei – Black Ball

“Anything worth loving is worth fighting for, and Erisa Rei has come on the scene swinging” is a quote from the Spring Hill, Tennessee roots rocker’s website bio. She proves this statement with each of her ten, self-penned songs on the new album, “Black Ball,” where she has mastered the one-two combination: Stun the listener with power, then, knock ‘em to their knees with vibrato. Led by a production crew including Mike Kyle and Brent Hendrich, and released on the

Johnny Cash - Live Around The World (Bootleg, Volume 3)

Since his passing in 2002, there have been many collections of music released from the vast catalog of "The Man In Black." One of the best in this series has been the "Bootleg" series from Sony. You get to hear a different side of some of Cash's defining moments, and this package is no different. This set starts with a live show on the "Big D Jamboree" in Dallas in 1956, and includes one of his signature songs, "I Walk The Line." It then segues into performances from 1962 and 1964 - on the latter, Cash...

Charlie Parr - Keep Your Hands On The Plow

Minnesota native Charlie Parr offers a unique mix of Folk and Blues, and does so in a way that will keep you entertained from track to track. On this album, there is a heavy Gospel element that is in full force, and that's a treat on the ears. The album kicks off with the old-timey feel of "Gospel Plow," and Parr's vocals are right on the money with their bluesy edge. That trend continues on the laid-back sounds of "Daniel In The Lions' Den," as well as "God Moves On The Water," which gives Parr a chance to show...

Danny Riddle - Old Time Religion

In Gospel Music - perhaps more than any other music form - there's something about the old songs that bring a little bit of peace from the world. A native of the state of Florida, Riddle gives each and every one of these time-honored Gospel songs a spirited performance. As someone who is very steeped in the Southern Gospel tradition, Riddle knows how special these songs are to the listener. So, he wisely doesn't try to take away anything - or add anything to the songs- just let them live and breathe on their own...

Heritage Blues Orchestra – And Still I Rise

According to Map Quest, 359 miles separate Clarksdale, MS and New Orleans, LA. But, you don’t even have to get out of your chair to enjoy the musical similarities between the two music centers with this album that celebrates all that is R&B and Jazz. From the beginning sounds of “Clarksdale Moan,” you know you are in for nothing short of a treat. Junior Mack’s gripping performance of the song brings to mind the best of the Delta, and will make you long for a trip down historic Highway 61. And, it just gets better and...

Randy Thompson – Collected

Randy Thompson has made it a point to paint outside of the lines musically. There’s some Country, Americana, and a pinch of Roots Rock to be heard all over his latest collection. While the style varies, one constant throughout the album is his rough and lived-in voice, which really comes into play on tracks like the restrained “Rocksalt & Nails” and the rebel rouser “You Can’t Talk To Me Like That,” which has already started to make a worldwide impact. The cool thing about this album is that Thompson isn’t looking to...