Country Music

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"Time Well Wasted" (08/16/2005) Country Paisley, Brad, Arista NashvillePersonnel: Brad Paisley (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, Ferrington high string, baritone guitar, mandolin); Dolly Parton (vocals); Gary Hooker (electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, background vocals); James Burton (electric guitar); Michael Johnson (steel guitar, dobro); Randel Currie (steel guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Kendal Marcy (banjo, background vocals); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Bryan Sutton (mandolin); Justin Williamson (fiddle); Jim "Moose" Brown (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards, background vocals); Bernie Herms (piano); Gordon Mote (keyboards); Eric Darken (vibraphone, percussion); Kevin "Swine" Grantt (double bass, bass guitar, background vocals); Kenny Lewis (bass guitar, background vocals); Bobby Terry (bass guitar); Ben Sesar (drums); Wes Hightower (background vocals). Brad Paisley's music is an interesting amalgam of country sub-genres, a paradigm all its own. He melds straightforward, pop-friendly New Country with clever, somewhat Lyle Lovett-like songwriting and the occasional flutter of Joe Maphis/Jimmy Bryant-style guitar virtuosity. Surprisingly or not, this country combo platter made Paisley a star, and TIME WELL WASTED continues in the aforementioned vein. While there are some fairly mainstream moments here that wouldn't ruffle the feathers of, say, the average Kenny Chesney fan, WASTED boasts plenty of smart, sassy tunes brimming with lyrical witticisms worthy of Tom T. Hall or Shel Silverstein. "Alcohol," for example, is a first-person narrative from the beverage's point of view, and in retrospect it's shocking that it took this long to get written. Guest shots from both Dolly Parton and Alan Jackson show that Paisley's work has earned respect from disparate corners of the country scene, a respect that's amply justified by TIME WELL WASTED.

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"The Dollar" (01/31/2006) Country Johnson, Jamey, SonyPersonnel include: Jamey Johnson (vocals); George Jones (vocals); John Willis (acoustic guitar); J.T. Corenflos (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Jim "Moose" Brown (piano, organ); Kevin Grantt (bass guitar); Chad Cromwell (drums); Tom Roady (percussion). Despite a handsome mug and a beefy build, Nashville newcomer Jamey Johnson proves that he's more than just a "hat act" on his 2006 debut, THE DOLLAR. Johnson's neo-traditionalist bent fares well on these 11 tracks, most of which he wrote himself, or co-wrote. While the lyrical themes--work, love, faith, and partying--will not surprise listeners of contemporary country, the freshness of Johnson's songwriting and the appeal of his ragged baritone may. THE DOLLAR balances between emotionally charged ballads and honky-tonk rockers, and Johnson delivers the goods in both styles, making this a solid first outing worth hearing.

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"Greatest Hits" (08/31/2004) Country Womack, Lee Ann, MCA NashvillePersonnel: Lee Ann Womack, Willie Nelson (vocals); B. James Lowry, Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, Pat Buchanan (electric guitar); Aubrey Haynie, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Glen Worf (bass); Lonnie Wilson, Chad Cromwell (drums). Producers include: Mark Wright, Lee Ann Womack, Matt Serletic, Frank Liddell, Byron Gallimore. Recorded at Ocean Way, Essential Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players. Personnel: Lee Ann Womack; Randy Scruggs, B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar); Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Rusty Danmyer (steel guitar); Larry Franklin, Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Steve Nathan, Jimmy Nichols (keyboards); Glenn Worf (bass guitar); Lonnie Wilson, Chad Cromwell (drums); Buddy Miller (background vocals). Recording information: 1997 - 2004. To earn a greatest-hits compilation after only four albums (not counting a Christmas record that's unrepresented here), you have to make one hell of a splash on the music scene. That's exactly what Lee Ann Womack did between 1997 and this disc's '04 release. Hearing this sampler of Womack's albums, the sweet, angelic voice and solid songcraft jump out in equal measure. Perhaps of more historic importance, though, is the context. If Womack had appeared 10 or 15 years earlier, she would have seemed like a foreshadowing of country's pop-friendly future. After years of being inundated by Faith Hill and Shania Twain's disciples, however, Womack's amiable, relatively modest approach seems downright rootsy, with more ache and twang per bar than any Nashville assembly-line kewpie doll has in her entire catalog. From the lovelorn "The Fool" to the lighthearted romp "I'll Think of a Reason Later," GREATEST HITS shows Womack in her best light.

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"Greatest Hits Volume II" (08/12/2003) Country Jackson, Alan, Arista NashvilleInitial pressings of GREATEST HITS VOLUME 2 included a bonus CD. Personnel: Alan Jackson (vocals, guitar); Jimmy Buffett (vocals); Bruce Watkins, Greenwood Hart (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Lloyd Green (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano); Glenn Worf (electric bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); John Wesley Ryles (background vocals). Recorded at Emerald Entertainment's Tracking Room, The Sound Station, East Iris, Nashville, Tennessee; Shrimpboat Sound, Key West, Florida; McClear Digital, Toronto, Canada. "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The song was also nominated for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals. Anyone who earns a second volume of GREATEST HITS has obviously learned a thing or two about staying power and consistency of artistic vision. Such is the case with Alan Jackson, who appeared in the 1990s as mainstream country's alternative to the dominance of King Garth. His sound was still eminently accessible, but the faux-Springsteen drama of Kiss fan Garth's rock manque was eschewed for a more roots-oriented (though hardly traditionalist) sound. Things kick off nicely with the Cajun-flavored smash "Little Bitty," then giving way to the introspective, fiddle-laced country ballad "Everything I Love." Along the way, there's the pleasantly chugging, upbeat "It Must Be Love," the much-publicized post-9/11 song "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," thankfully absent of Toby Keith's contemporaneous jingoistic rancor, and the Jimmy Buffett-assisted party anthem "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere." Add a couple of unreleased tracks and a bonus disc of more obscure material, and you've got as good an introduction to Jackson's work as his first GREATEST HITS COLLECTION.

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"Precious Memories" (02/28/2006) Country Jackson, Alan, Arista Records (USA)Alan Jackson: Alan Jackson (vocals, guitar); Brent Mason (acoustic guitar); Gary Prim (piano, organ); Keith Stegall (piano); John Wesley Ryles, Melodie Crittenden (background vocals). On 2006's PRECIOUS MEMORIES, country superstar Alan Jackson ventures into gospel territory, offering up a set of warm and inviting faith-themed songs. These spare tracks feature no percussion and rely almost solely on piano and acoustic guitar, allowing the focus to remain on Jackson's resonant vocals and the songs' devoutly Christian lyrics. Although praising Jesus is clearly the core of this album, the beautifully minimalist renderings of spiritual classics are so soothing and pleasant that the disc's appeal is sure to extend to fans of Jackson's secular music, particularly on "Softly and Tenderly," which is enhanced by gentle organ lines, and "I'll Fly Away," here given a light, jaunty bluegrass feel. The resulting atmosphere evokes images of the Georgia-born singer/guitarist sitting in on a friendly, open-air church service, leading a sing-along of traditional numbers such as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You."

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"Jason Aldean" (07/26/2005) Country Aldean, Jason, Broken BowThis is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel include: Jason Aldean (vocals); Adam Schoenfeld (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Mike Noble (acoustic guitar); Jack Sizemore, Kurt Allison (electric guitar); Michael Johnson (steel guitar); Smith Curry (lap steel guitar); Jason Mowery (mandolin, fiddle); Steve King, Tony Harrell (keyboards); Tully Kennedy (bass guitar); Rich Redmond (drums, percussion). Jason Aldean has been slugging it out as a professional singer since high school, and the confidence gleaned from years of experience shines though on his self-titled debut album, as he delivers a strong collection of blue collar-themed songs in a smooth, polished tenor. Lyrics about philosophical farmers ("Amarillo Sky"), small-town pride ("Hicktown"), and moments of spiritual insight ("Good to Go") are backed by twangy, honky tonk-ish Telecaster licks and rock-influenced country rhythms of the Alabama/Sawyer Brown variety. "Asphalt Cowboy" is a contemporary update of classic 1970s lonesome-trucker songs (complete with weeping steel guitar), while "You're The Love I Wanna Be In" borrows licks from 1980's AOR power pop of the .38 Special/Rick Springfield mold. Chock full of variety and energetic performances, JASON ALDEAN is a great introduction to a promising talent.

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"Kerosene" (03/15/2005) Country Lambert, Miranda, Epic NashvillePersonnel: Miranda Lambert; Eric Darken, Glenn Worf, Jay Joyce, Jim Hoke, Joey Huffman, Mando Saenz, Randy Scruggs, Richard Bennett, Russ Pahl, Hank Singer, Mike Wrucke, Natalie Hemby, Buddy Miller, Chad Cromwell. Recording information: East Iris, Nashville, Tennessee; Omni Sound, Nashville, Tennessee (2004). Many contestants on AMERICAN IDOL and similar TV shows go on to greater success, but due to their relative lack of experience, often have a hard time finding their niche. Not Miranda Lambert--when KEROSENE was released in 2005, the NASHVILLE STAR third-place winner was barely out of her teens, but she had already spent years honing her craft in bars. In addition to being a confident vocalist and strong-willed businessperson, Lambert is a crafty songwriter whose work is easily on par with that of Nashville veterans twice her age. The title track is a pounding, attitude-filled country-rocker reminiscent of John Cougar Mellencamp's "Rain on the Scarecrow." (That this diminutive young blonde woman can spit out lines like "Trade the truth for a lie/Cheatin' ain't really a crime" so convincingly is also startling.) "I Can't Be Bothered" is straight-up honky-tonk, replete with whining steel guitar, Buck Owens-worthy twangy Telecaster, and a jaunty dance beat, while "Me and Charlie Talking" is funky swamp-country of the Jerry Reed variety, albeit with lovelorn lyrics that reveal Lambert's old soul. An uncommonly accomplished debut, KEROSENE is the first outing by a genuine all-around talent.

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"Country Christmas Volume 2" (03/14/2006) Country Various Artists, Collectables Records

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"Classic Country Christmas (Time/Life)" (09/23/2003) Country Various Artists, Time/Life MusicIncludes liner notes by Charles McCardell. This is part of Time Life's "Classic Country" series. This collection easily lives up to its name by featuring a stellar lineup of musicians performing time-honored holiday songs. Tammy Wynette sets the mood with a gorgeous rendition of "White Christmas," followed by Elvis Presley's signature take on "Blue Christmas." Dolly Parton sings achingly of a "Hard Candy Christmas," while Willie Nelson contributes his own classic tune, "Pretty Paper." Willie's dear friend Johnny Cash lends his unmistakable baritone voice to an excellent 1959 version of "The Little Drummer Boy," in which the Man in Black leaves the "a-rum-pa-pa-pum" refrain to his back-up singers. Elsewhere, Emmylou Harris saunters through "Christmas Time's A-Comin'," and Buck Owens offers up his humorous "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy." Although many of these recordings were made before 1980, country of the late '80s and early '90s is represented by artists such as Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, and the Judds.

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"Best of Dan Seals (Capitol)" (08/02/2005) Country Seals, Dan, Capitol/EMI Records