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Fellow songwriters shower their love on Billy Joe Shaver throughout this concert recording from his 65th birthday bash in Austin. Whereas tribute albums typically feature a variety of performers interpreting the honoree's material, here, many of the Texas troubadours choose to play their own songs influenced by Shaver or ones the rough-hewn renegade specifically requested for the occasion. The birthday boy proves his own best interpreter, opening the album with a hard-charging rendition of "Georgia on a Fast Train" and closing with the raucous resilience of "Try and Try Again" (in which he deals with the death of his wife and his son) and the soulful transcendence of "Tramp on Your Street." The between-song patter highlights the proceedings, with the respect Shaver receives from peers such as Guy Clark and Jimmie Dale Gilmore (who brings tremulous heartbreak to Shaver's "Hearts-a-Bustin'") equaling the awe he elicits from younger troubadours such as Todd Snider and Jack Ingram. As Joe Elysuggests, no one has found "a way of combining the spiritual and the honky-tonk" quite like Billy Joe. --Don McLeese ... Read more

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With Now 17 the producers of this chart-busting series have accepted, to their credit, a truism: You can't please 'em all. That accounts for the opposite-ends-of-the-genre-spectrum inclusiveness of the disc, and also for the lion's share of its appeal. Like hip-hop but hate country? Count yourself in, courtesy of Terror Squad ("Lean Back"), J-Kwon ("You & Me"), and the Beastie Boys ("Ch-Check It Out"), or out, owing to Gretchen Wilson ("Here for the Party") and Keith Urban ("Days Go By"). Ditto for girl pop (Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me," Jessica Simpson's "Angels") and hard rock (Crossfade's "Cold")--take it or leave it or, if you're truly well-rounded, love it, track for track. With its finger directly on the pulse of what passes for pop in 2004, 17 poses its share of challenges--the Switchfoot crowd doesn't lend itself to being lumped together with JoJo's posse--but it skillfully folds the whole package into a better than palatable mix aimed directly at the fun-loving and the musically tolerant. Sensible sequencing (rap leads to pure pop leads to rock leads to country) seals the deal, so that all you're left wondering is, What happened to Hoobastank? --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

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Gillian Welch has captured the ethos of mountain music in a way that few lowlanders have managed, and that's just a little disconcerting. Outsiders aren't supposed to be able to infiltrate tight-knit clans. Producer T-Bone Burnett creates intimacy by recording Welch live with a small cast of supporting players, including Welch's partner, David Rawlings. While many of the songs are built around duo acoustic guitars and two-part harmonies, Burnett spices up a few of them up with some neat tricks, mixing an upright bass above the vocals on "Pass You By" and getting a fat, dirty sound out of three instruments. Welch's vocals, meanwhile, are stoical and matter-of-fact as her songs, which are infused with a repressed dread and contrition that's utterly convincing. White gospel tunes like "Orphan Girl" and "By the Mark" feel as if they were culled from hymnals, yet they were written when Clinton, not Coolidge, was president. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Gillian Welch; powerful artist
Thanks to Amazon, I found Gillian Welch via their "customers also bought" information bar while purchasing an Emmylou Harris recording. Ms Welch posesses a sincere and refreshing approach to "country" music. Her soul searching lyrics are brought together with her haunting voice as a Hermann Hesse novel. They both express the human life experience. Ms Welch's diversity is far reaching with "Paper Wings" (Billy Holliday would love this song) to "Acony Bell" (a sweet and precious song). I used to write and play similiar songs to my daughter Amber Faith. If you desire an experience with soul searching music, purchase this recording.

One I can't live without...
I walked into a record store one day and heard the first few songs off of Revival over the store speakers and they stopped me in my tracks. I immediately bought it (and I'm not the impulsive type) and my husband and I played it just about every morning for the first month we owned it. Gillian and David have somehow managed to channel the ghosts of Appalachian oldtimers through their souls and onto this disc. This music is as real and haunting as it gets. I can't say enough about it, it just gets under your skin and stays there. If you ever get a chance to see them live, you'll understand how incredibly gifted they are. If you like alt country or twangy folk, this is a must have!

Essential Gillian Welch
Forget the hype of 'O Brother Where Art Thou'. Forget about "alt-country". Forget about "mountain music". This is the debut album from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. And its an experience.

How can you NOT mention Rawlings every time you talk about Welch? It is only together, that they've created some of the most beautiful, haunting, melancholic songs I have ever heard. I've been fortunate enough to see them play on two occasions, they're also outstanding live musicians and they had the audience spellbound for the entire length of the concert. This is the perfect record to start your GW/DR collection with...

Beautiful alt-country debut album.
It's hard to believe this is Welch's first album: the songwriting is unbelievably solid, and the music is hauntingly reminiscent of early bluegrass and country music. She came from a musical family (her parents scored the music for "The Carol Burnett Show"), and she attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where she met her musical partner David Rawlings.

Welch's and Rawlings's voice and instrumentations blend beautifully, and one of the standout songs on the album is "By The Mark", where you can hear Rawlings clearly echoing and harmonizing with Welch's voice. Other songs worth mentioning are the mournful "Annabelle" and "Tear My Stillhouse Down".

It should be noted also that Emmylou Harris was so impressed with Welch and with this album that she later covered "Orphan Girl".

Disappointing
If this is her best (as indicated by many others here), I'm incredibly disappointed. I bought this CD because I heard one song (from "Soul Journey") that I liked on the radio. After reading the reviews, I chose this CD because it was the most raved about.

Three of the songs on this CD sound just like her tune on "Oh Brother..." The rest of the CD is, well... mediocre. There's absolutely nothing original or touching here. I don't care about Gillian's background, I just want to listen to great music. This is not great music. She sounds like any other mediocre country-folk artist.

... ... Read more

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A former oil field worker, Toby Keith has always known how to capture the passions of blue-collar men and women, desperate to blow off steam at the end of the day. As such, he’s stocked his latest album with themes designed to push all the right emotional buttons--patriotism, Jesus, buddy love, fast women, and reality altering substances. "I Love This Bar," the first single, offers a kinder, gentler Keith than the boot-shoving redneck of "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)." But as he segues to "American Soldier," a song so gung-ho and puffed up that it could be a musical recruitment poster, you know he’s gearing up for a scud missile of a payoff. Sure enough. By the time he gets to "The Taliban Song," a comedic and cartoonish skewering of The Enemy, recorded in concert, it’s hard to remember that he once wrote well-crafted ballads of romantic infatuation. Now it’s all grandstanding, baby, even the best-written song, a jazzy, talking blues which fillets his critics. If he’s not exactly "Shock’n Y’All" as the title suggests, he’s certainly putting his "Baddest Boots" forward. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (218)

Not Shocked -- disappointed
Pros: Toby's voice, the music was okay, two or three of the cuts
Cons: The other eight or nine cuts

I was looking forward to this CD. When I first started listening to Toby Keith, my reaction was the same as Amy Grant's (when she handed him the award and commented on the fact that she thought he had issues with women), then I grew to enjoy nearly everything he'd done. Until now. As I said, I was looking forward this release and went out at 7:30 am to grab it -- now I wish I hadn't. American Soldier is a nice tribute piece, I Love This Bar is a good-time piece with a nice feel to it, and Nights I Can't Remember, Friends I'll Never Forget was another one that I liked, as for the rest?..... Well, it's a good thing he's got the Baddest Boots in town because the rest of this CD wouldn't get him a second look. I'm not Shocked, Toby, I'm really disappointed.

good record
this is a good record that will have many singing along to the hits like i love this bar, but besides the 3 money songs the rest is dead air, but worth it if your a toby fan.

Bah i say, BAH!
A'heh, stupid rednecks condeming other races and singing about crap no one cares about, sounds like a money maker to me. I jus.... i ca......iba......errrrrr.....words wont come out, my head is filled with visions of destroying that man. im done, thats it, i cant take it. BAH!

Somebody shut this guy up before we all get killed.
He named his album after a 'battle' of sorts, which was used as a declaration of war. Thousands of innocent people died during "Shock & Awe"; and this idiot names his album in honor of it?

Is he a tool created by the pro-war faction to try to create more of a war loving sentiment? Probably not, or there would also be pro-war rap albums and pro-war hair metal. Is he some dumb redneck who is trying to speak for this country? Unfortunately yes.

World: Please note that all people from the United States don't like this guy or sick sense of humor. In fact, he is well hated in many circles.

LOVE IT! Shock'N Y'all
I just knew that Toby couldn't top anything that he had already came out with, I was WRONG!!! I just love every song on this CD. I was so excited to add it to my other CD's from Toby Keith. It's a must for any Toby fan. His songs are from the rougher side of him, and the are awesome. Can't wait for another CD from Toby. ... Read more

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There are plenty of other Willie Nelson compilations, but this one's different. It taps Nelson's prowess both as a singing songwriter and an interpreter of others' tunes. And while these 20 selections span his entire career--beginning with his smoky demo of "Crazy" that was the blueprint for Patsy Cline's historic performance--the accent's on his contemporary material. Die-hard Nelson fans need not fear. His recent duets with R&B singer Francine Reed ("Funny How Time Slips Away"), B.B. King ("Night Life"), Lee Ann Womack ("MendocinoCountry Line"), and even pop star Brian McKnight ("Don't Fade Away") possess thedusty mix of fragility and wisdom that has become his late-career vocal signature. On Nelson's tongue, even the lyrics to the Muppets' "Rainbow Connection" are a wistful contemplation of life, made all the more poignant by hisspare acoustic guitar accompaniment. Nelson's earlier touchstones are here, too. There's his first solo hit--1962's "Touch Me"--plus "Whiskey River," "GoodTimes," "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," his "Pancho and Lefty" duet with Merle Haggard and, of course, "Funny How Time Slips Away." It's all proof that rather than let his own time slip away, the 71-year-old Texan has etched his art all over it. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My first Willie
This is the first album that I have ever bought by Country icon Willie Nelson.I can tell that it will certainly not be the last.I think that Willie's music stands on the same level of cultural impact that Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, to name two giants who have just been cannonized in their passing.

Though I don't think that every song included here is a classic, there is enough jaw dropping material to make me dig deeper into his catalog.My favorites include the spare touching CRAZY, his first hit TOUCH ME, the bluesy duet with Francine Reed on FUNNY HOW TIME SLIPS AWAY and the utterly sublime BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN.Though Willie would be classfied as a country artist, he takes a host of other influences such as jazz, blues, Tin Pan Alley pop and latin elements and weaves them into the fabric of great American folk music.

SONGS has provided a good sampler of Nelson's wide ranging work to start investigating.If it weren't for two lesser duets with Lee Ann Womack and Brian McNight that seem to be a tad too polished for the other material included, I would call this an almost perfect introduction

Lovely!
If you like Willie Nelson at all, you'll love this album. It's liberally sprinkled with the songs that made him a country icon - duets with Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, as well as solo, that make you nod and smile and say, "OH yeah!"

And then there are the little pearls that cross genre lines; inspired duets with BB King and Francine Reed, and his incredibly touching version of "Rainbow Connection" that redeems its schlocky origins and makes it glow. This feels like such a lovingly crafted album, such a jewel, that it makes me worry that is the aging songster's goodbye.

Buy it and love it. ... Read more

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Sara Evans’s 2000 effort, the platinum-selling Born to Fly, put her in the front ranks of the most promising of modern country singer-songwriters. As a woman with a strong traditional background, she found a way to marry contemporary sounds and sensibilities with her bedrock country and bluegrass history, and, with the help of producer Paul Worley, delivered a complete, believable, and very fetching record. But Restless sounds as if she and Worley just went in and cut a passel of songs. A lot of them carry a message of hope, of making "something magic out of something frightening," as she sings in "Rockin' Horse," one of five tracks she co-wrote. But most of them just sound as if she had getting on radio more in mind than anything else.It’s hard to tell if the album doesn't know what it wants to be, or if it’s Evans who’s confused. Worley over-produced the majority of it with unnecessary layers and busy arrangements, and the repertoire ranges all over the place, from an awful attempt at swaggering R&B ("Big Cry") to the hay-bale-and-pickup milieu of "Suds in the Bucket." While the languid and affecting "Backseat of a Greyhound Bus" sticks in the memory and the sensual "Otis Redding" gets the hormones charged, too many of the songs just roll by. Evans remains a wonder of a singer, however, whether she’s projecting her clearer pop voice or calling on the nasality of her Missouri barn-dance-and-bluegrass training, something in too short supply on this uneven effort. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (65)

Bored Now
Sara Evans used to be the great white hope of country music. Then she sold out. Let's face it that's what she did--she herself will admit it, so we should as well. Born to Fly is pure sludge. While there are whispers on this cd that Evans is dragging herself out of the muck, there isn't enough to convince an average listener that she isn't bogged down.
She starts out with a syruppy snooze fest that leaves listeners wondering if she cares whether or not the tree was made into a rocking horse or left to rot. "Backseat of a Greyhound Bus" is as completely annoying a song as "Saints and Angels" for most of the same reasons--underneath the to heavy intrumental loops and production that leaves her voice indistinguishable hides what could have been a very good song. Most of the rest of the fare slides forgettably past in a daze of desperately trying to sound like the norm. And, unfortunately, she suceeds. The only stand out tracks are "Otis Redding" and "Suds In the Bucket." On "Otis Redding" she takes Shania/Mutt production to a new low, singing about turns ons in a voice that never comes close to trading the kitchen for the bedroom. On "Suds" Evans FINALLY comes alive with a song both styalistically different from her contemporaries and that she actually feels. It is such a remarkable and refreshing difference to hear, not only her glorious twang, but also a spark of life.
This album is actually a very good example of why labels are losing money to downloading. You can now go to Wal-mart and download the one good track, "Suds In The Bucket" off of this album for around a dollar. Then you can mix it up with some Kasey Chambers, Kelly Willis, Elizabeth Cook and Dixie Chicks to create a really wonderful album. What the label heads don't understand is that it isn't really about money. The money isn't too tight, rather life is too short to waste an hour listening to music for one good song (message to country radio as well), particularly from an artist who doesn't even know who she is.

Restless is "Perfect"
Sara Evans' new CD, Restless, is incredibly good. I have not taken it out of my CD player since I got it. I fell in love with her voice on Born To Fly, and it was time for her to put out a new release. The album is not uneven as Alanna Nash would say. Just because Evans is exploring new musical directions does not make it a bad CD. She is just following the path of Shania and Faith, trying to expand her audience. There is never a dull moment on Restless. From Rocking Horse to Suds in the Bucket, there is not a track that I skip. The title track has an irish quality to it. I though of the Corrs when I heard it. Her second single "Perfect' is probably the best song on here. There are great ballads too, like her cover of "Need to be Next to You." This CD truly is amazing and it has quickly become one of my favorite CDs.

not "Perfect" but pretty good
This isn't Sara Evans' best effort (for that you need to go to her 2000 multi-platinum Born To Fly), but it's a solid album, with a lot of songs that are pleasant and listenable and a few that match the excellence of her previous release.

Song By Song:
1. Rocking Horse: Fun, upbeat song about making the best of bad situations, but nothing praticularly exciting. 3/5
2. Backseat of A Greyhound Bus: This is one of the high points of the album, a touching story of a young girl who escapes her confining small town and finds meaning in her life through the birth of her daughter. 5/5
3. Restless: It's an ok song, fine melody, decent lyrics, but it doesn't really do anything for me. 3/5
4. Niagra: A beautiful ballad, Sara really shows the range of her voice on this song, and the lyrics are very moving. 5/5
5. Perfect: A cute song about how love doesn't have to be "perfect" to be good, a nice happy upbeat message, but it's very similar to several other songs on the album. 4/5
6. Need To Be Next To You: Again, sounds kind of similar to other songs. It's decent, but doesn't stand out from the rest of the album. 3/5
7. To Be Happy: Yet another perky upbeat song with a positive message. One or two was ok, but there are too many on this album and they sound too much the same. 3/5
8. Tonight: This is one of the better songs on the album, musically it's slow and smooth, and the lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of desperation and finding comfort in another lonely soul. Her voice is also showcased beautifully. 5/5
9. Otis Redding: This song is another one of the more unique songs on the album. Slow and sensual, it's perfect for "dancin in the kitchen barefoot" 4/5
10. I Feel It Comin On: A fun breakup song, has more of a country sound than the others on the album. 4/5
11. I Give In: My favorite track on the whole album. The lyrics sound like Sara read my mind, though I think most women will relate to lines like "you turn more than the music on/but will you be there by my side at the dawn?". Sara's voice is great here as well, making it truly a standout track. 5/5
12. Big Cry: This is my least favorite song on the album, it sounds like a bad attempt at R&B. 2/5
13. Suds In The Bucket: Another bouncy, fun to listen to song, I believe it's the current single. Nothing to set it apart though. 3/5

Great Ablum!
Along with Born to Fly, Restless is a great ablum. This has a lot of good songs. My favorite songs from Restless: Rockin' Horse, Backseat of a Greyhound bus,
Perfect, Suds in the bucket, To be happy and Need to be next to you I hope this helps!

Focus, Alanna, focus!
"It's hard to tell if the album doesn't know what it wants to be, or if it's Evans who's confused...unnecessary layers...busy arrangements...repertoire ranges all over the place..." ...ah...I see...almost like she was...you know...'Restless'...Duh! ... Read more

Album Description

Blake Shelton, a leader of the back-to-country movement, revs up the tempo with his third album, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill. Led by "Some Beach"—Top 30 Country at this writing and headed for the Top 10 --and filled with good-time drinkin' songs and bad-time love songs as well as tender-hearted ballads, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill is a barn-burner. ... Read more

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Bruce Springsteen followed his muse on this haunting 1995 release. Perhaps that's why it barely made a dent in the marketplace, even while it thrilled the faithful who were willing to take another dark, Nebraska-like journey with him. It's abundantly clear that Springsteen had been soaking himself in the work of John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie during the writing of The Ghost of Tom Joad, but their combined influence is found on more than just the title track. It's all over these windblown songs (including the haunting "Dry Lightning" and "the seminal "Youngstown") and their hard-scrabble protagonists. Not the Boss's biggest record, but certainly one of his best. --Michael Ruby ... Read more

Reviews (83)

A Stunning American Classic
Don't get me wrong, I am primarily a maniacal fan of Bruce's rock 'n' roll masterpieces and his stupendous live shows, but his acoustic work shows equally important facets of his genius as a songwriter/musician/poet. These "Tom Joad" recordings have the haunting quality of Appalachian folk songs with the lyric depth of the poems of Federico Garcia Lorca or Dylan Thomas. I honestly can't think of another musical artist that has captured the heartbreak, complexity and hope of the American experience in the way that Springsteen has. "Galveston Bay" talks with quiet irony of way in which our nation of immigrants tends tragically to discriminate against each latest wave newcomers. And yet, by the end of the song, the antagonists finally relent and allow new blood to reinvigorate and replenish the American dream. "Across the Border" captures the mix of hope and illusion that draws so many to "El Norte." "Youngstown" speaks achingly of the betrayal of the American working man and woman. "Dry Lightening" paints a word picture of the itchy, discomforting freedom promised by true love and the unending horizons of western plains. I could go on and on. I never tire of this album. It still has the ability to change my life just a tiny bit for the better each time I hear it. If you don't love "Tom Joad" on first bounce, play it again and let its power seep into your soul. You'll never be sorry.

There won't ever be another CD like this
When 'The Rising' came out I went back and bought all of Springsteen's past collection. I came across 'The Ghost Of Tom Joad' and sat down to listen to it, not really knowing what is was about. It really blew me away, and for the first time I actually felt like I was pulled in to the album, thanks to Bruce's brilliant song writing. You listen to an album like this, which is so beautifully crafted, and then listen to basically any song from pop bands, you will be put into a new light. This is how music is suposed to sound, intimate, fun, and emotional. I can honestly say, if you buy this record you won't be sorry.

Out on a limb? It's artistic genius!
Bruce Springsteen's a reliable rocker. His lyrics aren't always the best, and his voice could use a little touchup, but people love him anyway. Why? He sings about the common man. And he's talented as hell.

On "The Ghost of Tom Joad," Springsteen finds himself at his peak--even if he had to leave the rock arena to do it. Sure, his electric guitar-fueled rockers are superb (find one rocker who's had a more lasting impression on various generations, past and present, than the Boss; and if you say McCartney, I'm gonna hit you). However, these gentle (mostly) acoustic numbers are sublime--graceful folk/country songs that sound the bells for the downtrodden (and Springsteen's multi-instrumental talent).

"Straight Time," for example, deals with a former criminal who can't seem to live a decent life; "Highway 29", about a fateful Bonnie and Clyde couple; "Youngstown," about a factory worker who needs a reprieve; "The Line," about a border guard who falls in love with a refugee; "My Best Was Never Good Enough," a darkly humorous tune about a man who just can't win, no matter what advice he's been given; and several other songs, most about immigrants and their troubles.

Yeah, it's a little opressing at first. Springsteen can be that way, when he's writing from his soul. And the album never really picks up, tempo-wise. It's not something you're gonna party to; but if you want good quality music, that'll make you think about yourself and the world, and shine a better light on your relations with others, then "The Ghost of Tom Joad" is your album.

A Masterpiece
As far as I am concerned, this is the best album Bruce has ever made. As I own practically every album he has released, I am speaking with some knowledge.

An amazing sequel to Nebraska
The Ghost of Tom Joad is one of the most haunting albums I have ever listened to. It was in fact listening to this album that I noticed the tremendous influence he has had on so many of our great singer/songwriters. The music on Ghost is tremendously affecting. It is Springsteen without his pop-enthusiasm. The songs are bare, and his tremendous talents as a songwriter really stand out for all to see. Ghost is a great album that showcases the considerable talents of one of our great songwriters. ... Read more

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Swaddled in the usual twang and spiced up by Stuart Duncan's sparkling mandolin and fiddle, Jackson continues his endless exploration of joy and sorrow tempered by his guileless humility. As usual, his originals provide the most power. The joy of "Too Much of a Good Thing" contrasts with the throbbing sense of loss found on "Rainy Day in June." Too cute and transparent for its own good, "USA Today" pales (though the publishers surely loved the plug) next to the finely honed laments "If French Fries Were Fat Free" and "You Don't Have to Paint Me a Picture." The latter, with the line "Your love's like some old cheap magic marker that said forever, now it's gone," is worthy of Harlan Howard. Of the non-originals, "Talkin' Song Repair Blues" may be a songwriters' in-joke, but the Billy Burnette-Shawn Camp composition "Burnin' the Honky Tonks Down" yanks Jackson from his usual laid-back comfort zone into a ripping vocal-instrumental jam. As a whole, the album stands as a benediction to an artist whose integrity and success has prevailed in the face of endless trends and fads that have swept away many lesser talents. --Rich Kienzle ... Read more

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Country music's hottest boy band really doesn't do anything that hasn't already been done just as well or better by earlier country-pop "all-guy" bands like Diamond Rio and Restless Heart. Yet Rascal Flatts' pretty harmonies, so full of painful earnestness and pubescent yearning, are often very affecting, particularly coming from a trio that looks--and often sounds--like its members are still trying to grow their first chest hairs. And now and then, as on Marcus Hummon's rousing "Dry County Girl" and the Nickel Creek-like "Shine On" (cowritten by the three band members), these rascals even show fleeting innovation. But on too many of the remaining nine tracks the trio's youthful exuberance doesn't quite escape the confining shackles of generic production and overly predictable song fare. --Bob Allen ... Read more

Reviews (84)

The light is shining on brightly from above!
After their debut album sold a million copies, it was time for a new venture. This new cd, "Melt", keeps it right on pace, with 11 great songs on it. I really expect Rascal Flatts to be getting a lot of awards in the near future. Besides, "These Days", their is a lot to pick from on this cd. The title track is a great candlelight soother for romance. The song, "Mayberry", is about the good ol days and a breeze, very relaxing song. The last song titled, "My worst fear", is being compared to, "I'm moving on", but it sure is'nt nearly as moving as, "I'm moving on", is. It's hard to say if this album is stronger than the first, but it's definently in the right direction. Somewhere I read that they want to release quite a few songs. If they don't release at least 5 singles, I will be disappointed. The songs, "Mayberry", and, "Too good is true", are I think the strongest. But then, "Dreamin out loud", is real catchy too. When you listen to this cd, you realize that Gary Levoux's vocals are unbelievable! He has one of the best voices in music, and he can stretch his vocals also. I don't know how many millions this album will sell, but quite a lot. It's safe to say that this album could explode, and sell big like Dixie Chick's first album did. Rascal Flatts truly are blessed and they deserve everything they get. They have a great record label, great songs, and an ever-growing fanbase as I speak.

The Rascals are back!
I have to be honest here--it's been a long wait for me. More than two years for some new Rascal Flatts material. But the wait is over, and it was well worth it!

"Melt" opens with the top-ten smash which you've no-doubt heard, "These Days." The following tracks are of equally superb quality--from the emotionally powerful "My Worst Fear" to the harmony-ridden "Mayberry". Of course you've got some of those up-beat, perky songs: "Too Good Is True," "Love You Out Loud," "Fallin' Upside Down," and "You." You also have a few ballads: "I Melt", "Like I Am", and "My Worst Fear." But then we've got a couple of surprises: The two almost-bluegrass songs, "Dry County Girl" and "Shine On."

You might also be shocked by the presence of a mandolin on pretty much all of the tracks. Their harmonies are as excellent as ever, and Gary Levox's voice hits the high notes perfectly.

Rascal Flatts had been labeled a boy-band; take one listen to these guys, though, and you will know that that is not true. Just because an artist records one pop song ("See Me Through" on their first album) doesn't mean they're a pop artist. Faith Hill's still considered country, but isn't her latest supposed to be almost all blues?

If you're a pop fan, and are looking for another boy-band, then get lost. You will not find it here. They may not look the part, but these guys are country, through and through. "Melt" is one of the best albums to come out in 2002; it's also the best these guys've done so far. It makes me anxious to hear a THIRD album...

Awesome!
Rascal Flatts is the best band in the world! Their sound is so original and uniqe it is hard not to love. Gary's voice is so heavenly you cant help but be in a good mood when you hear it. Then there's Jay and Joe Don (my fav) who play so well and are also great singers all on thier own. These guys are the best and this cd is so good all the songs are so uplifting and wonderful. Even the slow ones like the song "Like I Am" or the ironicly funny one "My Worst Fear" are bound to put you in a good mood. These guys cant go wrong and have done an awsome job on this cd and I cant wait til Sept. for the next one!

They're awesome!
I first heard These Days, and I went and bought the CD. Way before Mayberry was played on the radio often. I fell in love with Mayberry and I melt immediatley! This CD is excellent, and the songs don't all sound the same! Its worth the Money!

Country Music CD of the Year...
One of the dominant groups today in country music, Rascal Flatts really creates a huge hit with "Melt". They have released almost half of the CD to radio and all of the songs have hit number one. The trio of vocalists compliment each other very well for a great listening experience. A must have for any country music CD collector. ... Read more

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With 41 tracks drawn from nine record labels, the two-disc Essential Willie Nelson is impressive in its breadth. Disc one is simply superb; it begins with 1961's "Night Life," recorded for the obscure Bellaire label, and moves on to several of Nelson's early 1960s Liberty recordings, an overlooked gem recorded for Monument in 1964 ("I Never Cared for You"), a cherry-picked selection of his RCA and Atlantic sides, and finally his mid-1970s hits for Columbia (where he found his greatest chart success, beginning, in 1975, with the No. 1 single "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain"). Disc two, however, is hit-or-miss. Classics like "On the Road Again," "Pancho & Lefty," and "Nothing I Can Do About It Now" are offset by such lesser material as "To All The Girls I've Loved Before" (recorded with Latin pop star Julio Iglesias), the phoned-in "City of New Orleans," and the sounds-better-on-paper "Highwayman" collaboration with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. (Just because they all made it to No. 1 doesn't make them "essential.") Nelson's two best albums of the 1990s, Across the Borderline and Teatro, are represented by a paltry two songs. The disc ends with collaborations with U2, Lee Ann Womack, and Steven Tyler and Aerosmith (the previously unreleased "One Time Too Many"). None is particularly worthy of a best-of collection. Still, while it doesn't quite live up to its billing, the Essential Willie Nelson offers an excellent career overview of one of country music's true legends. --David Hill ... Read more

Reviews (13)

If you only have one compilation of Willie...
this is the one to have. Let's face it, all compilations have their weaknesses, but the 2 disc "The Essential Willie Nelson" (2003) is the first to cover all the labels Willie has recorded for and all the big hits in one set! Disc one kicks off with 7 early 60s recordings including "Night life", "Hello Walls", and "Crazy" (which Willie wrote & Patsy Cline made famous). Track 8, "Me and Paul" starts Willie's 70s recordings including "Blue eyes crying in the rain" and of course his classic duets with Waylon: "Good Hearted Woman" & "Mama's don't let your babies...". 3 songs are included from the 1978 album "Stardust": "Blue Skies", "Georgia on my mind", & "All of Me" and disc one closes with two live tracks: "Whiskey River" & "Stay a little longer" both from the '78 album "Willie & Family Live".

Disc 2 continues with late 70s and early 80s hits like "My Heroes have always been Cowboys", "Always on my mind", and of course "On the road again". More classic duets follow with "Pancho & Lefty" (a personal favorite) with Merle Haggard, "To all the girls..." with Julio Iglesias, and "Seven Spanish Angels" with Ray Charles. The 1984 gem "Highwayman" featuring Kristofferson, Waylon, and Cash is also here. The second disc is wrapped up with more duets: "Slow Dancing" with U2 (which surprisingly works because Bono is either MIA or extremely toned down), "Mendocino County Line" with Lee Ann Womack, and "One Time too Many" with Aerosmith. One review stated that these last three songs left a "sour taste" considering that they are part of an "essential" collection. I have to agree, but only greatly in terms of the Aerosmith song. It starts off well enough with acoustic guitar and Willie and Steven Tyler trading verses, but when the rest of Aerosmith kicks in and Tyler does his thing, Willie is drowned out and that's not cool on a Willie Nelson compilation. If one wants to hear Aerosmith, there are many ways to do so. So with the minor exception of the final track of the set, this compilation is indispensable. A great way to get Willie's biggest hits on one reasonably priced set!

*It should be noted that 14 of the 20 tracks from the 1981 compilation "Greatest Hits & some that will be" are included here not to mention 22 of the 30 tracks on 1999's "The Very Best of Willie" as well. So if you have either of these, 2003's "Essential" may not be essential. However, if you don't have any Willie compilations yet, this is the one to go with.

Also recommended:
RCA Legends: Waylon Jennings (2 disc, 40 track excellent compilation)

Captivating Compilation of Classic Songs
This is potentially the most thourough collection of songs of Willie Nelson. These songs just characterize the old legend. I really enjoyed the first CD. "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" and "Georgia On My Mind" truly capture his sentimental side; while "All Of Me" and "Whiskey River" demonstrate his upbeat side. The second CD was really my favorite. Heartwarming ballads like "Always On My Mind" will remain in your minds forever; while classic duets such as "Pancho and Lefty" with Merle Haggard and "Seven Spanish Angels" with Ray Charles will make you keep on listening for endless years to come. This album is truly a must-have for Willie fans.

Great CD
I disagree with those who said that the duet with Steven Tyler wasn't good. I thought it was great! Maybe Steven did sing a little louder than Willie, but if Willie didn't like it, he didn't have to put it on his CD. With all the mechanical stuff they have now, he could easily have fixed that. Anyway, I like the cd, especially "One Time too Many."

Thank you Mr. Nelson
I only have one Willie Nelson CD. This is it. I have always enjoyed his music, but never had the cash to buy it. So glad I got this one. It has a wide range of songs. Each time I listen to it I say a little prayer for Willie Nelson and thank him for sharing his gift with the rest of us.

Somebody Pass This Guy Some Afrin Nasal Spray
Ahh..."The Essential Willie Nelson!" There is no better example of how American popular culture has reached its nadir in the past thirty-five years than Willie Nelson. Back in the 1940s and 50s Nelson would have been handed a bar of soap, a razor, and some deongestant and laughed off the stage. Today he is a "great singer." "Crazy" and "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" are nice little songs, albeit only if sung by somebody with a listenable voice. Beyond these tunes, there is nothing much in this collection for music fans who can tell the difference between a fog horn and a genuine tenor or baritone. If you're among the masses of impressionable music fans who adhere to popular culture no matter how mindless, then perhaps this collection is for you. But if you are sufficiently self-assured and discriminating in your musical tastes, stick with Sinatra, Crosby, Fitzgerald, and Lee. They are timeless and genuine. And they looked clean and neat as well...now isn't that an extraordinary concept in this day and age? ... Read more

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San Diego is not exactly known as a hotbed of contemporary bluegrass music, but then again, Nickel Creek are a far cry from most bluegrass bands you've ever heard. On their Alison Krauss-produced debut, they serve up a lilting, ethereal fusion of bluegrass, Celtic, modern folk, and even classical influences, offering exquisite harmonies that would be more at home at a Crosby, Stills & Nash tribute than at a musical salute to the late Bill Monroe. Yet it makes for delightful listening, all the same. The three principals (Sara Watkins on fiddle and vocals; her brother Sean Watkins on guitar, mandolin, and vocals; and Chris Thile on mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, and vocals) are either barely out of their teens or still in them. Individually and as a band, they've already won a slew of awards and notoriety on their respective instruments. The three prodigies (joined by Thile's dad, Scott, on bass) really strut their eclectic hot licks on a few soaring, skittering instrumentals, but even more impressive are Nickel Creek's graceful, heartfelt harmonies on the many lovely ballads. Hot licks, when you get right down to it, are a dime a dozen; this sort of pluperfect tunefulness is a much rarer thing. --Bob Allen ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Acoustic Music at its Finest
Like others, I first encountered Nickel Creek via a video on Country Music Television. I've long been a fan of acoustic music focused on tight harmonies, quality musicianship, and heartfelt emotion. This can surface under the categories of folk, country, bluegrass, or whatever. Nickel Creek is not easy to slot, but is very easy to listen to. The 3 artists are instrumentally exceptional, vocally evocative, and write much of their own stuff. The CD contains a mix of soulful ballads, unique stories, and traditional songs done with a flair that will keep even the most jaded interested. How often do you hear a song in which the "narrator" is a tall building with a light on the top - and find that the lyrics and music make the song incredibly compelling? "The Lighthouse" is just the first of a number of welcome surprises waiting for a first time listener. And you won't stop there - the CD demands listening over and over. Perhaps one of the stronger indicators of how wide a net this music casts is that my 18-year-old has hijacked my copy and I'm having trouble getting it back! Don't be put off by whatever label you hear associated with Nickel Creek. Give them a listen. You'll be glad you did.

Wow! Amazing!!!
These kids can play! Their performance at the BlueBird Cafe in Nashville is what inspired me to make this purchase. Normally, I just surf past CMT, but their lively performance and fresh sound demanded that I stop and give them a listen.

Thile makes the mandolin sing on the dramatic instrumental "Ode to a Butterfly" and on their arrangement of the Traditional "The Fox". The originals "The Lighthouse's Tale", "Sweet Afton" are very well written songs, musically and lyrically. "The Hand Song" brought me to tears, the first time I heard it...the lyrics were so moving.

I can hear the Celtic, Classical influences as well as modern-day folk music cleverly intertwined into their own unique bluegrass style.

Be sure to add this one to your collection, especially if this is going to be your first Nickel Creek CD.

One of the most stunning debut albums of any genre
Nickel Creek has described their music as "contemporary Bluegrass", and that title fits as well as any single title, but their musical abilities and material choices transcend any easy classification.

At a young age Sara Watkins demonstrates one of the most pleasant female voices on the "Country" side of the house, not to mention that she could fiddle Charley Daniel's Devil (the one that went down to Georgia) right into the ground.

Sara's brother Sean is a gifted vocalist and an ambitiously talented guitarist. He also contributes to the group as a composer.

Rounding out the trio is Chris Thile on mandolin and vocals. I read a review of a performance given by Nickel Creek in Chicago about a year ago, and the reviewer described Mr. Thile as a "Force of Nature". Christ Thile is not just "talented" or "gifted". He has one of those rare talents that is as stunning as a thunderbolt. A true prodigy, he won the national mandolin championship at age 12 and recorded an album of virtuoso instrumental music shortly thereafter - MUCH of the music written by the pre-teenager himself. Chris has grown as a composer and instrumentalist since then, and has added "swooningly good vocalist" to his resume as well. Get this CD and take a listen to Chris on "The Fox" or "The Lighthouse's Tale".

Mixed in with these stunning vocals and soaring harmonies (the mark of producer Alison Krauss can be heard throughout) are original instrumental pieces that are as lively as an Irish jig, as complex as a Beethoven symphony, and as full of fresh inventiveness as music could be. All of the solos are stunning, and when Nickel Creek goes into harmony mode it boggles the mind. Then, when your mind has been boggled as much as you think it could BE boggled, Chris Thile goes off on a solo spree with notes that come as fast as a machine gun, yet ringing as clear as a bell. He is every bit the virtuoso on mandolin as, say an Eddie Van Halen or Eric Johnson or Al DiMeola or Mark O'Connor.

What will Nickel Creek be in a few years when they're all 30? I can't wait to find out.

Outstanding!
For years, I only listened to rap, rock, and punk, and closed my ears to bluegrass, and other variations of the genre, but after I listened to Nickel Creek, I have a new-found appreciation for their style of music.

Not only are there brilliant vocals and exquisite guitars, but they also give you a feeling like there's something more behind the music. Nickel Creek obviously isn't a run-of-the-mill bluegrass band, they have something special that just made me want to listen to them. Why do they appeal to me, someone who never listens to this style of music? I don't know, but since they did that they get a 5 stars from me.

Excellent display of acoustic music !!!
I must say I am not a fan of blue grass or country music. This Nickel Creek doesn't even sound country to me and I'm from Texas. I see them more in the category of Traditional Folk music along with Gaelic Storm and Fairport Convention. The music they play almost reminds me of music I heard in a pub in Australia. It also reminds me of when I was a teenager and I would go to the Rennaisance Fair with my friends and we would just celebrate a simple life not thinking of school, church, politics, and the negative things of teen youth. ... Read more

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On her third album, Chambers has weathered a storm of publicity and expectation by clinging to her deeply southern--as in Australian--roots. She stands by her Dead Ringer Band kin (brother Nash Chambers produces and father Bill Chambers plays lead guitar), and her delicate songs continue to celebrate the innocence and wonder of loving and being loved. The slight adult-contemporary sheen never outshines the blues and bluegrass flourishes--indeed, "Follow You Home" rips like a Del McCoury breakdown--as she explores all the poetic potential of the conditional voice. "If I were lost would you shout my name out loud?" and "If you were a river run dry, well I'd sing you sweet by and by" are more than coy conceits. They're unforced glimpses of grace, earned by remaining faithful to who she is. Even in a holding pattern, the sweet strength of Chambers's voice and songs find room to soar. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

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The "Sisters K" return from the near dead with a bouncy album that in some ways suggests the early work of another musical sister, Shania Twain. Both acts offer a youthful pop sound that occasionally mimics hoedown music in the most superficial way, and both depend on layered production. Here, the Osborn siblings work from an inventive harmony base whipped into a frenzied swirl of sound by über-producer Dann Huff. Both acts also craft lyrics that can be astonishingly empty and insipid, but on Sweet Down Here, Kristyn Osborn and her various co-writers sink to new depths of banality. As a lyricist, Kristyn is at her intelligent best when she settles into brokenhearted love ballads such as "Without a Sound" and "Come Home Soon." Otherwise, she spends her time on "Passenger Seat" chewing on a Slim Jim and waiting for that first kiss (what, no garlic breath?); on "360˚ of You" she strikes a Lolita pose ("nibblin' my thumb 'cause I want me some"). She dots the rest of the album with references to plopping down on wet toilet seats and nailing her man ("you're a pesky little fly, I'm the pink plastic swatter"). They sure ain't the Dixie Chicks, but country music, that working-class genre, is nothing if not an equal-opportunity employer. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (22)

What happened???
I made the mistake of listening to 'Knock on the Sky' the day before I bought this CD. I don't want to down play 'Sweet Right Here' because it is a good album, I guess I just had higher expectations. I'll go track by track and give my opinions for each song.

1. Passenger seat- 5/5. Awesome song. Everything just seems to fit... the lyrics, the music, the harmonies.
2. 5 4 3 2 Run- 2/5. Nothing too special about this one. As a matter of fact I'd consider it a filler song.
3. 360° of you- 5/5. Very cute. I love songs like this one
4. Love goes on- 4/5. I really like everything about this song, but there is something missing. I'm not sure what it is though.
5. I dare you- 4/5. Another good song with something missing in it. I love the line I dare you to want to be good to me.
6. Good together- 5/5. The chorus sounds so good. The lyrics and music really do go good together.
7. Please come home- 5/5. Beautiful song!! You can relate this song to so many different situations and I think that makes the song great.
8. Don't worry about a thing- 3/5. This is a take it or leave it song. It doesn't make the CD better with it on and it wouldn't make the CD worse without it. It has a nice sound but nothing to rave about.
9. Without a sound- 3/5. I think this song is too slow for me, and the lyrics are too repetitive. This is my least favorite ballad.
10. Borrowed home- 5/5. I love the sound of this song!!!
11. A woman's work- 4/5. I like the sound of it, but the lyrics are too weird for me. I'm not even sure I understand what the song is about.
12. He's a Hero- 4/5. Aww this song makes me sad for some reason. It's cute.. touching.. and sad at the same time.

Overall opinion: I've been a SHeDAISY fan since the beginning and I'll be a fan till the end. That being said I gotta say that I was a bit disappointed when I heard this CD. Maybe the problem is that 'Knock on the Sky' was such an amazing CD that nothing can compare to it... at least not this CD.

Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing - This is A Good Album
Sweet Right Here offers a combination of upbeat fare and tender ballads. While the lyrical wordplay doesn't quite match 2002's excellent Knock on the Sky, there are still plenty of reflective moments in songs such as "Without A Sound", "I Dare You" & "Borrowed Home". "5 4 3 2 Run" cautions against seeking out seemingly greener pastures while "A Woman's Work" follows a woman on a mission. The sweet longing of "Come Home Soon" could melt the most cynical heart. "Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing" is peppered with clever references to SHeDAISY's personal and professional tribulations. The closer, "He's A Hero", is a stirring tribute Kristyn penned for her grandfather when she was 18, proving the depth of her talent at even that age.

Standouts: "I Dare You", "Without A Sound", "He's A Hero"

"Sweet" effort, but a "Knock" to SHeDAISY's true selves.
With the release of SWEET RIGHT HERE it is probably safe to say that throngs of SHeDAISY fans are breathing a collective sigh of relief that the sisters Osborn have not disappeared into the black hole of country music obscurity. And what a relief it is to hear the sweet harmonies of Kristyn, Kelsey and Kassidy once again, not to mention the bouncy, instantly cathcy country-pop gems for which songsmith Kristyn is famous. It was a major disappointment after SHeDAISY all but disappeared from the country music landscape following their artiscally masterful yet somehow commercial flop sophmore effort KNOCK ON THE SKY. It was all but apparant that the group had been lost among the landscape of feel good "patriotic" gunk (Toby Keith, Daryl Worley, et. al) that bombarded the country airwaves following the tragic day of 9/11, and it just didn't seem fair. SHeDAISY is a country music act that actually sings songs which they--at least Kristyn--have written and they can harmonize circles around the Dixie Chicks or any other country group. So why the cold shoulder from Nashville? It's all too possible that with KNOCK ON THE SKY, SHeDAISY veered a little too close to pop--making Shania sound like Minnie Pearl--which thus caused them to be, as the group puts it in the semi-autobiographical "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing," "accused of murder on 'Music Row'." Obviously, that "mistake" was taken into consideration as the group upped the fiddle and steel guitar quotient on SWEET RIGHT HERE thus putting out an album that more closely resembles their commercially successful debut THE WHOLE SHeBANG than the artiscally perfect KNOCK ON THE SKY. So while it's great to have them back, it's a shame that SHeDAISY, while putting out a great album, is NOT allowed to be 100% SHeDAISY. Just listen to the superior KNOCK ON THE SKY and you'll know exactly what that means.

Totally Fun & Energetic Harmony
I'm not a major country music fan, but I heard Shedaisy perform at Target Corp Headquarters a few weeks prior to the release of their new album; I was and am in awe! This is what the screechy Dixie Chicks aspire to be but never will. Great vocals, fun lyrics, catchy tunes. I've since purchased all of their albums - the only thing I would change if I could would be to remove the excessive number of contemporary "santa" songs from their Christmas CD and replace them with real Christmas songs.

Lots of fun

This CD is great for after work, even after the toughest day Shedaisy's music can make me smile. I am especially a big fan of the upbeat songs like "5 4 3 2 Run", "A Woman's Work" and "Passenger Seat". I also like the laid-back "Borrowed Home" and tongue-in-cheek "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing", which is a glimpse into life in the spotlight. This CD is perfect for the summer, I'm glad to hear from Shedaisy again. ... Read more

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The Dirty South is the sixth album by Muscle Shoals, Alabama-based Drive-By Truckers. While previous Southern rock bands have celebrated certain regional mythologies, this quintet revels in the towering glory of small, gritty realities. They can kick up a righteous storm, as on the country lick-filled opener "Where the Devil Don't Stay," or the swamp and fuzzy "Lookout Mountain." However, within the latter is a daunting verse: "If I throw myself off Lookout Mountain, No more for my soul to keep, I wonder who will drive my car, I wonder if my Mom will weep." It's clear these guys deliver emotional wallops at every turn. "Carl Perkins' Cadillac" honors the honesty of Sam Phillips, while writhing in the melancholy of changing times and circumstances. --David Greenberger ... Read more

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It's fitting that this Charlie Poole box set comes in a beat-up cigar box. Enclosed are the stories, both in song and print, that serve to foreshadow a stereotypical hard-living country musician. Poole's tunes of gambling, girls, guns, and gin are real-world tales of a rambling drifter and fighter with a bum pickin' hand (broken on a drunken dare) and broken teeth (shot out during a run-in with the law).

The cover illustration by R. Crumb and the photos enclosed within hardly hint at Poole's being one of country music's earliest outlaws--rather, they portray him as a coiffed businessman-cum-banjo. It is in the three discs and the 35-page booklet that we begin to see a true picture of Charlie Poole. Though he didn't write the songs, he sang his rough-and-tumble life in the ones he chose: "Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight Mister?," "Husband and Wife Were Angry One Night," and "I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round the World." These are songs of a simple and stubborn man in trying times. It's not all misery and strife though. The pure George Formby style of "Monkey on a String" hints at a lighter side. "Sunset March" (inspired by Fred van Eps's "Infanta March," also included in this set) may be the track that best gets at Poole's banjo style.

"Hellions both, the pair loved nothing more than traveling, raising Cain, playing music, and having a drink, and another tune, and another drink." --Henry "Hank" Sapoznik on Poole and close friend Posey Wilson Rorrer (from the booklet)

It's not the lightning speed that the world would hear in the bluegrass greats, but a unique clawhammer arpeggio plucking style that comes across rough yet streetwise, like the player himself.

Not all the tracks in this set are performed by Poole, hence the subtitle ...and the Roots of Country Music. Also included are a couple dozen tracks recorded by Poole's mentors and contemporaries, giving excellent context to Poole's work. The term "bluegrass" was yet to be coined and the country outlaw profile was still a good 20 years away. It's surprising to learn that Charlie Poole only recorded and released records during a five-year period leading up to the hell-bent bender that led directly to his death at 39.

In terms of packaging, this box set is top-notch. The design, typography, and photographs are as genuine as the music. The booklet contains a brief introduction by Roanoke, Virginia, DJ Kinney Rorrer, whose father was close with Poole. Also included are accounts of Charlie's run-ins with hecklers, women, and the law, as well as an in-depth bio that surely contains the majority of what is known of his short life. Perhaps only Rorrer's out-of-print Rambling Blues: The Life and Songs of Charlie Poole reveals more about this grandfather of country music and godfather to country ruffians. --Peter Hilgendorf ... Read more

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The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better," the Chicks let their love of music and genuine joy shine through while the energy on this album reminds one of Carlene Carter. Solid musicianship, topnotch vocal performances, and infectious pop hooks make this a stellar project. --Paula Ghergia ... Read more

Reviews (329)

Truly a wonderful CD!
The first song I heard from this album was "Wide Open Spaces." I immediately liked the harmony and sound of this song, but was a little hesitant to buy the album since The Dixie Chicks was a new group to me (they had been performing for years prior) and I didn't know if the other songs would be as pleasing.

Well, later I heard "There's Your Trouble" and found the beat and melody very infectious indeed. So I decided to buy the CD on the merits of those two songs. Soon afterward, the hit, "You Were Mine," a beautiful and melancholy song about divorce was released. Following "You Were Mine," another country hit, "Tonight the Heartache's on Me" was released. This tune is also very catchy and much more country sounding than the previous hits mentioned, but very good nonetheless. Then there's the more universally appealing hit, "I Can Love You Better." This is a fun and peppy tune I love too.

The Dixie Chicks' "Wide Open Spaces" has become one of my favorites in my 1,000 CD collection. I have come to enjoy every song on the album. It's one of those handful of CDs in my collection that I can listen to from start to finish over and over again. I believe this CD will appeal to Country and Pop music lovers alike. The Dixie Chicks' follow-up album, "Fly" is good, but I don't believe it has the same magic and cohesiveness that this album exhibits. Enthusiastically recommended!

One of the best CDs 1998 had to offer
It's too bad that these "Chicks" have only been aired on country music stations, because this cd rocks. These are not Spice Girl wannabe's and the tight harmony and solid musicianship are clear on every track. Martie, the Fiddle player can really make it cry while sister Emily has a unique slide method and can wail on the banjo. Natalie, the lead singer and front person sings with all the passion of a Melissa Etherige and you can tell her roots lie with not just country. The cd Wide Open Spaces is solid from beginning to end with some beautiful ballads including a smooth cover of JD Southers " I'll Take Care of You". The women rock with Bonnie Raitt's "Give it up or Let Me Go" and Honky Tonk with "Tonight the Heartache is on me". Every song showcases the virsitility of this sure bet to win BEST NEW ARTIST. Do yourself a favor and if you cant see them live at least buy the cd.

Classic
The Chicks rock. This cd 'made' the Dixie Chicks the superstar trio they are today and for good reason. I would have given 5 stars but I had to save that for 'Home' their best album. What I love most about the Dixie Chicks is that they actually play instruments. They are not just 3 good looking ladies singing in a studio somewhere. They are 3 good looking, talented, touring, harmonizing, mothers...no really they are all mothers now.

good country fun
The Dixie Chicks are the best talent to come out of Nashville in awhile. They are extremely talented. Some of the songs they write themselves, and every song they play themselves. Most artists stand on stage with a guitar that is not even plugged in. But the Chicks are the real deal. Much of their inspiration is from bluegrass which is evident in many of the cords in their songs. They also get a lot of folk inspiration from artists like fleetwood mac and bonnie rait. This is a great debut albumn and the following albumns are even better!

Make Space for the Dixie Chicks
In an era when kids who doff a Stetson and women who look more like models in spangles than sound like vocalists get deals before they cut unremarkable records, the Dixie Chicks are a breath of fresh air. If you're of an age that can remember when country and pop meant the class of Linda Ronstadt or the purity of Dolly Parton's voice (not necessarily her songs...), the "Wide Open Spaces" will make you smile. This is country for folks who actually think about the music as opposed to knee-jerk to it.

Also like Ronstadt, the Dixie Chicks have discriminating tastes in songwriters. How can you go wrong with Bonnie Raitt or Maria McKee? And the discovery of Susan Gibson's title song made me search for her records (see Austin Texas' The Groobees). That the Dixie Chicks improved fast makes this a good starting point, but you'll do just as well with "Fly" and "Home." ... Read more

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Too much of Cash's best work is left out to make this collection anything more than a cursory introduction to country's Man in Black. The double-CD compilation, fittingly dubbed The Man in Black, at least allows for some deeper exploration (although it lacks any liner notes whatsoever), while the outstanding three-disc Essential box truly allows you to sink your teeth into this legendary figure. Still, the songs that comprise 16 Biggest Hits do provide a telling snapshot of Cash's substance and style--honest, straightforward, direct music devoid of ulterior motives and delivered with conviction. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Johnny Cash
These all may be hits but it depends how many Johnny Cash songs you can take, the collection of songs takes you through the 50's and 60's and 70's career of Johnny Cash. All of the songs are all hits but that does not mean you will like them all, A boy named sue is classic and many others but this is old style classic country music from Cash you hear this kind of stuff anymore but I think this is a must for any Johnny Cash fan.

The Best Johnny
This is as good as any single disc out there for people wanting only one Johnny Cash hits collection. ( Sorry, you can't put almost fifty years of recordings on one album or box set. ) This cd covers his early period, the live prison songs and the rest of the best. Much has been said about "The Man In Black", for me my favorite part of his music is how well he does train songs, which are found on "Get Rhythm/Story Of Trains And Rivers". He's also one of the best concert performers I've ever seen. Every fan of music needs one Cash album. So, start here and follow up after hearing the various tracks.

the man the legend
Jonny Cash lyrics will never be forgotten he always speaks from the heart. You can always tell what the man went through in his life by his music. He is the orginator of country music and this box cd set proves that. It is amazing and evey fan should own one.

A Good Collection of Cash
If you're either not familiar with Johnny Cash or are "going back to the basics", this is a good to start out with, especially if you do not have any Johnny Cash in your music collection. This album spotlights his most known songs from his earlier years, including classics such as "I Walk The Line", "Daddy Sang Bass", "Boy Named Sue", and "Ring of Fire". This is a good collection and I find myself putting this in the CD player when I want to hear good, classic Cash. 40 years later, the classics still sound as good as yesterday and hearing this CD reminds me why I've always loved his music. The legend will not be forgotten.

A Coming of Age
For all of you who are familiar with Cash, what follows is nothing new. However, for those of you who haven't heard of Johnny, read carefully. Johnny Cash is a lyrical genius---albeit a very politically incorrect one. Anyo