and set about introducing it to the country's college kids. Four decades later, the members of OCMS fit the profile of those early revivalists, yet if anything they have tapped deeper into the primal elements of an American art form. As demonstrated on their debut, they have assimilated not just the sound--banjos, harmonicas, acoustic guitar and bass--but more importantly the haunting spirit of music that was made to keep hard times at bay. How else to explain their ability to take a well-worn chestnut like "CC Rider" and infuse it with an energy that reveals once again why it is a classic? Not content to live completely in the past, they wrote "Big Time in the Jungle," which, though it is about Vietnam, could easily be transposed to 2004's de...  (less)

Dallas, TX, in the early ‘90s. Their early singles and 1994 indie debut disc, Hitchhike To Rhome led to a trio of critically acclaimed and crowd-pleasing albums for Elektra, beginning with 1997’s stellar Too Far To Care and running through 2001’s Satellite Rides.  (less)

are dramatized on these four, thematically programmed discs: Win, Place and Show: The Hits ; Old Favorites and New ; The Great American Songbook (mostly traditional songs); and Family and Friends (collaborations). For starters, consider the staggering depth and breadth of his repertoire (perhaps matched only by those of Bob Dylan and Ray Charles), embracing ancient folk tunes ("Streets of Laredo"), teen pop ("Ballad of a Teenage Queen"), mature contemporary rock ("Highway Patrolman"), gospel ("Were You There When They Crucified My Lord"), topical fare ("Ballad of Ira Hayes"), country standards ("Time Changes Everything"), novelties ("One Piece at a Time"), and more. Then there's the way his spare, spacious sound opens up to take in horns...  (less)

flexible rhythm section; wounded, piercing vocals; and unforgiving songs of rage, recklessness, and rejection. He then spends the rest of the CD refining it, song by song. As a writer, he has a real flair for imagery and the sturdy hook, and he also has good taste in remakes. Yes, there is some posturing; occasionally it feels like his nose for trouble, sense of despair, and wild eyes spring from listening to all the right records rather than out of anyone's real life. But for the most part, Hank III seems to come by these things the old-fashioned way: he earns them. Already. If he doesn't earn too much, he's going to do great things. --John Morthland  (less)

Overall, it's a set of amiable country pop, but the title track and "What About Georgia?," which open the disc, are rock songs at heart--driven by a hard-smacked snare drum and layers of guitar. But what's really at the core of these excellent performances is Lambert's romantic lyrics and versatile singing. When she's playing the angry lover in "Kerosene," she's loaded with punky attitude. When she's brokenhearted and moving on in "New Strings," her soft, delicate tones and gentle phrasing perfectly capture a rich blend of sadness and hope. There's even a bit of Dolly Parton's sweet vibrato and rustic charm in "Me and Charlie Talking," a nostalgic contemplation on love and life's simple virtues. Lambert authored or co-penned 11 o...  (less)

a showcase for the virtuosity of the musicians, and a tribute to the amazingly versatile, complex and lyrically romantic violin. Their performances are "an evening of show-stopping hits strung together in glorious sequence... an awesome range of music. If it's violin or fiddle music you're after, you can't go wrong with Bowfire." - Robert Reid, Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Assembled by acclaimed jazz violinist Lenny Solomon, the group's Artistic Director, the CD features eleven violinists, piano, bass, drums, guitar, and cello. Lenny is joined by the ten other acclaimed violinists: Quebecois jazz talent Stephane Allard; classical virtuosos Moshe Hammer, Lara St. John, Scott St. John and Peter De Sotto; Bluegrass fiddler Ray Le...  (less)

unsuccessful results. "I Don't Have to Be Me (‘Til Monday)," an Everyman's exuberant celebration of calling in sick at work, scored at radio, and there's plenty more here, including the love ballad "Lay Your Heart Next to Mine," that could follow. But Azar's more interesting songs (some cowritten with producer Rafe Van Hoy) go the pared-down, Todd Snider route. "Damn the Money," for instance, a rockin' little shuffle about that elusive green stuff, could show up in a discussion in No Depression , as could "The Underdog." Azar isn't going to win awards for his serviceable vocals, but he may turn heads with the title track, which starts out as a likeable blue-collar lament and turns into a modern-day "Wreck of the Old '97." If that's not a bridge between mus...  (less)

, the official elimination song on the Speed Channel's show Pinks , and finalists for Bon Jovi's 'Have a Nice Day' band competition, The Nadas have been steadily touring the country in Meatloaf's old tour bus, curiously dubbed...Meatloaf. Each release builds on a brilliant catalog of rock-meets-alt-country, and their ever-growing fanbase proves that their talent is truly authentic.  (less)

Made Some of the Best Downhome Country Music of the 1940s - and the Best of it is Included on this CD. Merle Travis' Amplified Guitar is a Highlight of Many of the Tracks, with Some of his Solos Proving Hot Enough to Be Considered a Prototype for the Following Decade's Rockabilly. As Well as the Jones/Travis 'duets', "Steppin' Out Kind" also features Many Cuts which Highlight Jones' Clawhammer Banjo Style - Including the First Version of his Massive Hit 'old Rattler'. Also Included Are Some Rare Duets with Grandpa's King Labelmates the Delmore Brothers and Cowboy Copas, None of which have Ever Been Reissued in 'directly from the Acetates' Sound Before Now.  (less)

career--accord him a respect that few other major labels show to past country greats who once enhanced their profits. That's why the 87-year-old Arnold's return to the studio for album #100 is nothing less than courageous. His producer, legendary Nashville eccentric Cowboy Jack Clement, combines low-key acoustic accompaniment with vintage material, including a remake of Arnold's 1956 hit "You Don't Know Me" and Roger Miller's "King of the Road." While Arnold imparts class, dignity, and youthful spirit to every tune, even this vocal master isn't exempt from aging's inevitable toll on every human voice. Hearing him valiantly struggle to achieve what once seemed effortless is profoundly moving and occasionally painful. Nonetheless, his magni...  (less)

route to a concert in Ohio. In his solitude, he dreams about the concert he'd like to give in a small country bar like the ones passing by on the highway. Instead, Hank Williams died in the back seat of his Cadillac that night. He was just 29 years old. Sneezy Waters performs more than twenty of Hank's hits in the show he never gave.  (less)

in a repertoire of romantic, pop and country standards, traditional Irish tunes and lively dance numbers. This lavish production features the singer's seven-piece band backed by a 20-piece string section, five-piece brass section and back-up singers. The Daniel O'Donnell Show offers a compilation of songs from Daniel O'Donnell's string of successful albums - from traditional Irish favorites, The Old Dungarvan Oak and Roads Of Kildare to the modern rock hit Rivers Of Babylon. Other highlights include the classic American pop songs Our House Is A Home, and duets of Vaya Con Dios and Somewhere Between with longtime guest performance partner Mary Duff. This concert features 17 son...  (less)