the start the record is an oddity. A big band pumps, female background singers rip through a chorus of "Bye Bye Love," and Ray brings high energy to the Everly Bros. teeny-bop lyrics. Some songs suffer from syrupy choir and string arrangements, but Ray is always there to set things straight. He gives country some funk, and erases, for a day, all questions of black and white. --Steve Tignor  (less)

Home A Drinkin'" "I'm A Honky Tonk Girl," "Fist City," and "You're Looking at Country" show a vibrant, independent woman with her own strong beliefs and keen observations. In her songs, she (literally) fights for her man's loyalty, stands up to his abuse, and moves on when he leaves. Among these 16 cuts are duets with Ernest Tubb and Conway Twitty, the controversial "The Pill" (yes, that pill), and her autobiographical trademark, "Coal Miner's Daughter." Lynn's defiant outlook picks up where Kitty Wells left off. --Marc Greilsamer  (less)

listeners with a mellow new marriage of pop and jazz. And the Dixie Chicks closed out a long legal battle and presented a down-home traditional country record that topped the charts. Now 11 is the CD equivalent of a mix tape that bounces from big, urban beats and rhymes to laid-back electro-pop chill to coolly groundbreaking piano-driven melodies. Norah, the Chicks, and Coldplay all push Now in a more adult-oriented direction, one where beats take a backseat to acoustic instrumentation and sincere lyrics. Then there's the notably sultry, full-blossomed "I Care 4 U" from Aaliyah, which stands as a fine tribute to the late singer. --Andrew Bartlett  (less)

Carolina singer is in the right ballpark most of the time, and he even hits a few out, such as the regretful "From Your Knees" and the swinging "A Man Can Dream." Billy Joe Walker Jr.'s production is big and bold, though bordering on bombastic at times, allowing fiddle and steel to ring out atop the brim. King has digested the vocal style of masters like George Jones and is convincingly sincere in most spots, even if some of the material is a bit translucent. --Marc Greilsamer  (less)

pride. In the forward-looking words of the young singer on this recording, Karol Aurora De Jesús Reyes, the music "Will make us shine around the world, until the people hear the music and say, 'Look, that is the music of Puerto Rico.' It's the music of my country, that which represents us and that which identifies us as a people." Leader Miguel Santiago Díaz hand-picked this group of virtuosic instrumentalists to let the music to shine at its brightest. Lyric transcriptions available here. ¡Nominación Grammy 2004! El resurgimiento del orgullo cultural y étnico en los Estados Unidos durante las décadas de los 1960 y 1970 tuvo un desarrollo paralelo en Puerto Rico, tanto que hoy en día el mero sonido de la música jíbara puede provocar una ovación de...  (less)

artist for kids who have grown up in the past 25 years. So it should be no surprise that when 13 of country's coolest singers and groups, from Asleep at the Wheel to Kathy Mattea, salute him, the result is an unbridled success. Whether it's the very young country star Billy Gilman serenading with "Baby Beluga," Marty Stuart celebrating organic farmers in "Naturally," or Rhonda Vincent's sweet version of "Bananaphone," your smile just grows as the CD spins. Alison's Krauss's "Blessed Be" ought be playing in every home and on every station these days. But it's "Blue White Planet," Raffi's new song, which he sings, that joyfully transcends all the happy moments and wonderfully frames our blue orb in the proper poetic context that the cosmos intended for it. --Martin ...  (less)

tears with the deep feeling of her singing and her skill in matching word to tonal truth. And Carol Elizabeth Jones, one of our few securely rooted young singer/songwriters, arouses my warm admiration with her beautifully detailed, spacious and flowing singing. These three daughters of Appalachia, three generations of country/bluegrass/old-time mountain singers, each with their own distinct and highly developed singing style, have made a hardcore mountain vocal album for the turn of the century, one whose roots go well into the last. Singing a rare and unusual repertoire, accompanied by a superb band, Hazel's dynamic and unfettered bursts of brilliance, Ginny's emotional steady rocking intensity and CE's stately and supple artistry combine in duets and trios t...  (less)

crossed-over to the pop charts, but was also nominated for a Grammy.  (less)

brought rock back to its roots—the American South, and, at ground zero, the magical fusion of country and R&B at Memphis’ Sun Studios. Today it encompasses jam bands, country mavericks, singer songwriters, and rockers alike. This new compilation celebrates the classic era of Southern rock with new interpretations by contemporary performers who embody—and relish—its rebel spirit.  (less)

flowing, charming listening experience. Gene MacLellan's "Snowbird" is rescued from some of the breakneck-paced vocal renditions and turned into a lush listening treat with the string choir, very tender at times. It's not always slow, Marty Robbin's "Orange Blossom Special" gave the string players some exercise bowing those strings! There were some good tunes in "Disco Party" - the Faith treatments bring us "Cherry, Cherry" (Percy should have received royalties from Neil - Percy's version was a "request hit" at radio stations). If you don't consider disco a listening beat, try "Love Music," "El Bimbo" and a second tune by Neil, "Coldwater Morning." Percy evolved into an orchestra disco-master just for this album! He ca...  (less)

Comin' Down' and 'Me And Bobby McGee'. In the '70s, he made the transition to successful performer with a series of critically acclaimed solo albums. Once he had crossed over to 'sex symbol', Kristofferson's acting career took off and for the last three decades, he has successfully balanced his music and thespian careers with political activism while still maintaining his down-to-earth personality. This collection contains the best of his solo recordings including his interpretations of the aforementioned songs plus 'Lover Her Was Easier', 'Why Me' and many more. 23 tracks. Camden.  (less)

are collaborations with British tunesmith James Morrison and singer/ songwriter Colbie Caillat. "I’m Yours," the album’s first single, was chosen due to the undeniable fan response to the song. A demo version of "I’m Yours" originally appeared on a limited release bonus EP Mraz put out with his last album. Today the song is an online sensation, with hundreds of usergenerated videos from more than 25 different countries now appearing on YouTube. Jason will be hitting the road this April on the "Music, Magic & Make Peace Tour".  (less)