northern New Mexico, its soundtrack sounds decidedly Lone Star. With famous Texans like Willie Nelson and the matchless yodeler Don Walser crooning some dusty charmers and a couple of country standards like "San Antonio Rose" and "Why Don't You Love Me" thrown in for good measure, the overall mood is very barbecue-friendly. Only Beck, who duets with Nelson on "Drivin' Nails in My Coffin" sounds a bit out of place here, his nasal drawl in curious contrast to Nelson's unmistakable whinny. Carter Burwell's score is standard-issue "epic" in its long gazes that suggest the largeness of both the West and the men's souls who inhabit it, but it gains an edge with its austere cadences and Mexican trumpet and guitar flourishes. --Lois Maffeo  (less)

always use music appropriate to a place to deliver to viewers another level of experience. I hope you enjoy this compilation of music from Rudy Maxa's World(tm) that can take you back to a place you've visited or whet your appetite to hit the road to discover new frontiers."- Rudy Maxa  (less)

the moment in time when "country" music suddenly went cosmopolitan, paving the way for Garth Brooks. Johnny Lee's "Lookin' for Love" was one of the decade's biggest singles, and this album briefly made a star of Mickey Gilley (whose Texas club provided a home for that alpha bull). Fans of Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffet, the Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, and Bonnie Raitt may want this collection for the tunes they lack elsewhere. And it sure recalls an era. But please don't call it "country." --Bill Holdship  (less)

heart in mind with a stylistic array of early 1970s sounds supported by Trevor Rabin's orchestral score (one seven-minute excerpt, "Titans Spirit," finishes things off here). Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band's "Express Yourself" is, perhaps, the greatest surprise, while oddball favorites such as Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky," Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," and Eric Burdon and War's "Spill the Wine" match up with country star Buck Owens's "Act Naturally." Covers include a fiery version of Sly Stone's "I Want to Take You Higher" and Leon Russell's laid-back barrelhouse-piano take on the doomsday anthem "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." Cat Stevens's "Peace Train" rolls into the station in its original version. Creedence Clearwater ...  (less)

features songs from all-time greats The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Allman Brothers Band, Roy Buchanan and Badfinger along with a collaboration between Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Van Morrison, and The Band. Add cult faves The Human Beinz, current South Boston punkers Dropkick Murphys, an R&B gem from LaVern Baker, a country- pop selection from the immortal Patsy Cline, and a pair of selections from Grammy® Award-winning score composer Howard Shore and The Departed's soundtrack album promises to be as widely popular as the film.  (less)

country music's grand tradition & has the skill to give powerful vocal performances and draw all the emotion from his selected material effortlessly. In 1976, Watson released his second LP on the Capitol label, Because You Believed In Me, the title track of which was a Top 20 hit single. Beautiful Country, released the following year, included the hit singles 'The Old Man & His Horn', 'I Don't Need A Thing At All', and 'Cowboys Don't Get Lucky All The Time', which was a hit in 1978. This latter song also appeared on the soundtrack of the Sam Peckinpah movie 'Convoy’. The two albums on this CD are drawn from the most commercially successful period of his career and capture Watson in his prime. Both released here on CD for the first time. Hux. 2005.  (less)

Mary Chapin Carpenter (Patty Griffin's "My Dear Old Friend") and India Arie ("Good Man") express the human losses inherent in the conflict, while the pop-country duo Montgomery Gentry offer "Didn't I," the plaint of the returning vet. Much of the rest is inspirational pop of various stripes. Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews team for the ethereal "For You," while Five for Fighting's "The Beautiful" recalls Matthews's most radio-ready tracks. Atmospheric moments from Christian-poppers and up-and-coming Nashville stars complete the package, which is sure to appeal both to fans of the film and those who'll apply the patriotic sentiments to present-day realities. --Bob Roget  (less)

soundtrack of O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU.  (less)

twist to the vintage genre. Vinicio Capossela and Gianmaria Testa prove that Italy’s appreciation for the fine arts extends to song weaving as well as winemaking. Spain’s Amparanoia sings about a love paradox that could apply to drinking wine as well. Portugal’s Jorge Fernando provides the perfect soundtrack for a glass of his country’s famous port wine. Though now living in exile in France, Chile’s Mariana Montalvo and her music have remained steadfastly rooted to the land where Bordeaux grapes thrived in the 19th Century. Argentina’s Melingo offers as much variety in his music as his country does in its vineyards. On the opposite side of the world, the sunny locales of South Africa and Australia offe...  (less)

spirits, and instructors at the school performing a wide range of folk standards and obscurities, substantially annotated in the accompanying booklet. Among the revelations: a luminous rendition of "Water Is Wide" by Cat Edgerton, a country recasting of "Corrina, Corrina" by James Hand, an atmospheric update of the Shaker spiritual "Simple Gifts" by the Zincs, the melodic liberties taken by Laura Doherty with Donovan's "Colours," the harmony pairing of Amy (daughter of Willie) Nelson and Cathy (daughter of Arlo) Guthrie as Folk Uke on the Carter Family's "Wildwood Flower," and a rarely heard verse to "Home on the Range" sung by Nora O'Connor. Most of the 42 tracks invite singalongs, making this the ideal soundtrack for your nex...  (less)