Features

• Import

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Collections    3. Country/Bluegrass    4. Pop   

Reviews (2)

Great but Not Edgy
The performers on this disc deserve credit for being significant players in "Alt Country/Americana," but the selection of songs seems curious for a 2003 compilation. One would expect, for example, one of Emmylou Harris' edgier performances (such as something from WRECKING BALL, for example) rather than her neo-traditionalist "Two More Bottles of Wine." Steve Earle would have been better represented by perhaps "Copperhead Road" than the mainstream "Guitar Town" offered on this disc. Patty Loveless' nod to her bluegrass roots (MOUNTAIN SOUL) is not represented here; instead, we have "Timber, I'm Falling in Love," another mainstream country hit. That's pretty much the nature of this disc: good but too often safe tracks by some of contemporary country's best singer/songwriters. We hear the Roy Orbison echoes on The Mavericks' "Crying Shame," another of many clever Lyle Lovett lyrics, and an Alison Krauss standard. It's a treat to find Lucinda Williams, Joe Ely, and Guy Clark here. No Wilco, no Son Volt, no Gillian Welch, no politically touchy lyrics, no challenge, and no controversy can be found on this disc. It does serve as a reminder, however, that country music programming directors should be ashamed of themselves for leaving out so many of these fine acts.

Some not so great tracks still can't bring this one down
I'm really beginning to appreciate country music thanks to acts like these. Also Johnny Cash and The Carter Family are helping with that as well. With people like Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash with an amazing track and a new favorite mix tape song Highway Patrol by Junior Brown. Also is the new classic Lucinda Williams song and the always fabulous Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Americana    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Country Collections    7. Neo-Traditionalist Country    8. Pop    9. V/A Compilations   

Editorial Review

The songs of Townes Van Zandt are destined to be for folk artists whatthe works of Gershwin are to saloon singers. The likes of "Pancho & Lefty," "IfI Needed You," and "To Live's to Fly" are the quintessence of troubadour music,thanks to the somber grace of the late Lone Star legend's language and theengaging simplicity of his melodies. Read more

Reviews (21)

3-5 stars really, depending on if you are a TVZ fanatic
If you have listened to TVZ do his own music exclusively, nothing really will ever compare, and this album may never rise to those expectations. But it will still be a good album for you, one to have for your collection.
A Great Tribute to America's Poet of Loss and Longing
This tribute to Townes Van Zandt could not be more accurately titled: POET. The songs selected for this compilation prove as thoughtfully chosen as the artists who contribute, each emphasizing the power and beauty of TVZ's verse. He is America's greatest poet of loss and longing, as this recording makes apparent. There are few and very minor disappointments here: Cowboy Junkies and Robert Earl Keen offer interesting but ultimately uninspired versions of HIGHWAY KIND and MR. MUDD & MR. GOLD, versions that pale when compared to the originals. Billy Joe Shaver and Pat Haney, on the other hand, virtually seem to channel TVZ on WHITE FREIGHTLINER BLUES and WAITIN' 'ROUND TO DIE respectively, failing, perhaps, to make the songs their own, but capturing the spirit and heart of the originals beautifully. As I write, I listen to Steve Earle's terrific rendition of one my favorite TVZ songs, TWO GIRLS. It occurs to me that Earle gets the balance of this great tune just right, making it his own, while honoring the original. For my tastes, the stand-outs here are by Guy Clark, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, and Willie Nelson. Each of these artists, much like TVZ himself, have voices that could break your heart just reading the phone book. Clark's lovely TO LIVE'S TO FLY, in particular, can leave me blubbering with just a casual listen: "It's goodbye to all my friends/It's time to go again/But think on all the poetry/And pickin' down the line."The respect and love each of these artists feels for both Townes and his work proves evident in every line, every chord. A brief introduction by Susanna Clark (excerpted from the book, SONG BUILDER) reads like a great American short story. Nothing could be more appropriate for a collection like this. With an ouvre like that of Townes, of course, there are bound to be omissions, songs that we know should have but didn't make the cut; let's hope for a sequel.

One of the Best I Own!
This is one of the all-time best CDs I own.I discovered Townes through other artists and through soundtracks -- smatterings here and there that lead me to the gradual realization that he was one of my favorite songwriters.Frankly, I think he's a better songwriter than almost anyone, but a better songwriter than he is a performer as well -- and this album may prove me right.From John Prine's sweet, lazy cover of "Loretta" to Emmy Lou's chilling rendition of "Snake Song" -- pure folky golk.Guy Clark's cover of "To Live's To Fly" beats the Cowboy Junkies' cover (and I LOVE when they do it).There isn't a single track on this album that I don't jones for when I leave it out of the CD changer for a few days.There's a reason the used copies are so expensive! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Americana    3. Contemporary Folk    4. Country-Folk    5. Folk & Traditional    6. Folk Collections    7. Outlaw Country    8. Pop    9. Progressive Country    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (2)

Pretty good picking
Its having fun with CSNY. A very different aproach to the music. I am a CSNY fan and enjoyed it. If you like them you will like this.

Pick Pickin'
As an old faithful CSN&Y fan (I still have all their music on vinyl), I was uncertain about hearing their music through another's interpretation.Recently I have become interested in Blue Grass and thought this might beworth a try.I was not at all disappointed.Even the slow melodies wereupbeat with background pickin' that allowed the familar melodies to takecenter stage.I have enjoyed listening to this CD because it keeps my toestapping and brings a smile to my face because of all the associations Ihave with this music.My only disappointment has been that the songsselected have not all been favorites of mine - but they hit enough to makethis a must buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Country    4. Instrumental Country    5. Pop    6. Tribute Albums   

Reviews (3)

may I suggest...
I think "O Mickey Where Art Thou" is a better choice.Better song selection, and excellent singing on most tunes.Check it out!

Excellent CD
People who search for rare Disney music.So this is the one. A good introduction to Bluegrass using Walt Disney songs
I was pleasantly suprised by this CD.It could have been unknownmusicians playing standard studio licks, or worse, a silly stereotype likethe Country Bears Jamboree.Instead, it is a well-planned, allinstrumental album with lots of appeal to adults & kids alike ! All ofthe songs are from Walt Disney movies, both classic and recent films. Themost toe-tapping tunes are 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah'and 'You ain't never had afriend like me'.The rendition of 'When you wish upon a star' featurespoignant fiddle work. My only compliant about this album is the shortlength, only 12 songs.This is the perfect CD for the long drive to WaltDisney World, perhaps followed by "The Best of Country Sing the Bestof Disney" (WD Records 60902-7). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Children's Collections    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Pop    7. Traditional Bluegrass    8. Traditional Country   

Features

• Import

Reviews (1)

3 disc Collector's Dream
This fantastic 3 disc import has the usual "biggest hits" along with a great selection of strong album cuts. What I like is that includes some songs that rarely show up on Tammy's other collections. Songs like "The Ways To Love A Man", "Cryin' In The Rain", "The Wonders You Perform", "Starting Over", "One Of A Kind" and the beautiful "No One Else In The World". This collection is well worth the bucks, and you can't go wrong with Tammy. If your collection is missing any of the above songs, I highly reccommend this import. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Collections    3. Country-Pop    4. Country/Bluegrass    5. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    6. Pop    7. Traditional Country    8. United States of America   

Reviews (2)

Up-and-coming Texas artists who are kicking up the dust in the Lone Star State
Playing Time - 38:44 -- "Texas Unplugged, Vol. 2" continues Palo Duro Records' presentation of original cuts by the label's artists. This sampler of acoustic music includes twelve different artists or bands. "Texas Unplugged" offers some thoughtful arrangements and a regional perspective on acoustic country. The featured talent incorporates blues, folk, country, western swing, honky-tonk and even rock influences, but each cut makes a unique statement of its own. The messages are those of fairly common country fare, but there are also a few surprises. Love songs include The Derailers' "I'm Still Missing You" and Walt Wilkins' "Path To Your Door." There are the obligatory songs about Big Tex such as Johnny Bush's "The Rio Grande Runs Red," Rusty Wier's "Texas Love and War," and Wild Horses' "You and Me and San Antone." The drinking theme is best captured in Dale Watson's "As Long as the Bottle's Full." A song about the big ol' Texas sun and drinking is "Dog Day Blues," in which Davin James states that"this quart of cold beer is all I've got done."
Excellent
I was a fan of Volume 1, but Vol 2 is even better!Great new tracks by Two Tons, The Derailers and Dale Watson and others.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country Collections    4. Neo-Traditionalist Country    5. Pop    6. V/a Compilations   

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Classical Crossover    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Country-Pop    7. Country-Rock    8. Fiddle    9. Folk-Pop    10. Folk-Rock    11. Instrumental Country    12. Neo-Traditional Folk    13. Pop    14. Progressive Bluegrass    15. Progressive Country    16. Traditional Bluegrass   

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Collections    3. Pop    4. V/a Compilations   

Reviews (2)

Rocking and Irreverent yet Classic and Fun
I am not a country fan, and yet I found that I liked this CD instantly.The music is fun and certainly breaks the limits of traditional country and the country flavored pop that is now called country.There are groups on this CD that I have never heard of, and perhaps that is all to the better because these groups are talented and unfettered.At first listen the music on this CD sounds like traditional bluegrass flavored country.However, you quickly realize that the words used in many of the lyrics are frequently the type of colorful words that are better suited to a bar or a hockey game than a casual family listen.Other than the occasional use of four letter words, my initial assessment was that this music sounds like country if The Grateful Dead were going to play country.Of course, such generalizations are easy but are typically inaccurate.
THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD
Insurgent Country, Vol. 1: For A Life Of Sin. THE FIRST RECORD EVER RELEASED ON BLOODSHOT RECORDS. THE RECORD THAT STARTED THIS WHOLE ALTERNA-COUNTY THING. THE RECORD THAT WILL STAND AS A CLASSIC YEARS FROM NOW. I'VE HAD THIS MONSTER 4 YEARS NOW AND IT STILL GETS PLAYED ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK (AND I HAVE 4,000+ LPS AND CDS, BABY). AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC ON EVERY LEVER, THE FLOW AND MIX IS FLAWLESS, PUT TOGETHER WITH LOVE AND IT SHOWS. SOUNDS GREAT ON A PORCH, IN A CAR, ON A DISCMAN, ANYWHERE. THIS CD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT RARE KIND OF DELERIUM THAT SETS IN WHEN A RECORD IS SO, SO VERY GOOD THAT YOU END UP SELLING LOADS OF JIVE RECORDS SO YOU CAN MAKE ROOM FOR ANYTHING ON THE LABEL. HAVING COLLECTED MOST EVERYTHING THAT BLOODSHOT HAS POOPED OUT I CAN TELL YOU. THERE IS NOT A BUM NOTE IN THE LABEL'S HISTORY! I PUT THIS THIRD ON MY FAVORITE BLOODSHOT RECORDS LIST, RIGHT BEHIND THE MOONSHINE WILLIE DEBUT AND THE GRIEVOUS ANGELS DEBUT. FLAWLESS MUSIC THAT WILL BOTH MOVE YOU AND ROCK YOU. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Alternative Country    4. Alternative Country-Rock    5. Americana    6. Country    7. Country & Western    8. Indie Rock    9. Neo-Traditional Folk    10. Pop    11. Rock/Pop Collections    12. V/a Compilations   

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Traditional Bluegrass    8. Traditional Country   

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Collections    3. Pop    4. V/a Compilations   

Reviews (3)

Found Some Good Gospel Bluegrass
This was released "way back" in 1991, so I was not sure what I would find. Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised and out of the 24 songs, there were 9 that I gave 5 stars and downloaded to my MP3 player. That's a pretty good average for a single CD! Many of the selections were unique in that they were not "new" versions of old songs.

Old timey songs of faith
I pulled "Stained Glass Hour" off a dusty shelf for the first time in years, recently.I'd forgotten just how special this CD is.I consider a compilation CD good if it has four or five keeper tracks, excellent with eight to ten.I find an astonishing 15 out of the 24 songs here worth a trip out to my mp3 player. Stained Glass Hour:Bluegrass and Old-Timey Gospel Music
This is an excellent selection of original and heart warming songs.You will be spiritually blessed listening to these. The artists are absolutely superb!Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Bluegrass-Gospel    4. Close Harmony    5. Contemporary Bluegrass    6. Country    7. Gospel/Christian Music    8. New Traditionalist    9. Old-Timey    10. Pop    11. Progressive Bluegrass    12. Progressive Country    13. Traditional Bluegrass    14. Traditional Country    15. Traditional Folk   

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass Collections    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Features

• Import

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Collections    3. Country/Bluegrass    4. Pop   

Reviews (1)

Surprised!!
I originally bought this disc because of one song I wanted "Too Many Times" by the awesome Earl Thomas Conley and Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters.I was surprised that I actually knew 3 other songs on this collection that I haven't heard since I was a teen:A beautiful and touching "A Place to Fall Apart" by Merle Haggard and Janie Fricke with backup vocals; "Both to Each Other" by Eddie Rabbitt and Juice Newton who sound great together; and "To Me" a beautiful blend by Barbara Mandrell and Lee Greenwood.Some of the other songs I haven't listened to because they are songs from 'before my time'; but to me, this disc was worth the one song I wanted, but was surprised that I liked 3 others, so all in all, I'm glad I purchased this CD!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Country Collections    5. Country-Pop    6. Country-Rock    7. Honky Tonk    8. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    9. Pop    10. Traditional Country    11. Urban Cowboy   

Reviews (1)

Pickin' On Creedence Clearwater Revival
This piece of music belongs in the novelty category.It would be difficult if not impossible to try and out do John Fogerty and company. Having listen to this bluegrass version of CCR, it was at times hard for meto tell what song was being played, when comparing it to what I knew thesong should sound like.Do not expect this to sound like the originaltunes.I can best describe the new sound as a fresh breath of country air.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Country    4. Pop   

Reviews (3)

A Loving Tribute to Bill Monroe
There's no new ground broken here, just a 17-track collection of some of Bill Monroe's best known (and best loved) songs recorded by some of the biggest names in bluegrass music today.Many of these artists passed through the ranks of Monroe's Blue Grass Boys:Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clemments, Bobby Hicks and Roland White.Additional musicians include Tim O'Brien, John Hartford, Sam Bush, Tony Trischka, Herb Petersen and David Grisman. And a new generation of musicians are represented by Del's son Ronnie McCoury and Nickle Creek's Chris Thile. Recorded shortly before Monroe's death in September 1996, this album serves as a loving tribute to the father of bluegrass music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Who's Who does Monroe
The credits on this CD read like a Who's Who of Bluegrass Music (with thenotable exceptions of Ricky Scaggs and Allison Krauss) and they do aremarkable tribute to the music of the man who started it all. Finemusicianship, haunting vocals, great material...what's left? These folksgive us Monroe's work without the slightest hint of imitation, each doinghis or her part in keeping with the individual style "what brung 'emto the dance". Truly a fine tribute and a must for the collector.

True to Monroe
The credits on this CD look like a who's who of contemporary bluegrass(Ricky Scaggs and Allison Krauss are conspicuously missing) and give anindication of the quality of the music within. These folks play and singtheir hearts out in a fitting tribute. They allow the Monroe genius toshine through without compromising the rich styles that 'brung them to thedance'.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Bluegrass Collections    3. Close Harmony    4. Contemporary Bluegrass    5. Contemporary Folk    6. Country    7. Country-Folk    8. Country-Rock    9. Country/Bluegrass    10. Neo-Traditional Folk    11. Old-Timey    12. Pop    13. Progressive Bluegrass    14. Progressive Country    15. Traditional Bluegrass    16. Traditional Country   

Subjects:  1. Country Collections    2. Pop    3. Popular Music    4. Rock    5. V/a Compilations   

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Country Collections    5. Country Gospel    6. Country-Pop    7. Country-Rock    8. Honky Tonk    9. Neo-Traditionalist Country    10. New Traditionalist    11. Pop    12. Traditional Country