March 6:
Pam Tillis, "Thunder and Roses"
...order here
Los Super Seven, "Canto"
...order here
March 13:
Trick Pony, "Trick Pony"
...order here
Jimmy LaFave, "Texoma"
...order here
March 20:
Old 97's, "Satellite Rides"
...order here
March 27:
Clay Walker, "Say No More"
...order here
April and Beyond:
Tim McGraw, "Set This Circus Down"
...order here
RECENT REISSUES
Back in Circulation:
Kris Kristofferson, "Kristofferson"
...order here
Charlie Rich, "Behind Closed Doors"
...order here
Joe Maphis, "Fire on the Strings"
...order here
Rodney Crowell, "Diamonds & Dirt"
...order here
Buck Owens, "Carnegie Hall Concert"
...order here
Clarence "Tom" Ashley, "Greenback Dollar"
...order here
FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS
Shelby Lynne
Country-soul belter Shelby Lynne gives her considerable voice a good
workout on this live reading of the gospel staple "Amazing Grace."
Recorded
for the "Red Hot + Country" television special, this performance has never
been released, and is available as an exclusive free download as part of
Amazon.com Presents 10 Years of Red Hot: A Special Benefit for AIDS
Awareness and Relief.
...order here
More on Red Hot downloads, CDs, and AIDS awareness
...order here
Go to all Country downloads
...order here
Faith Hill took home three big awards at the 43rd Grammy Awards, pacing the country music field as she has throughout the past two years. Hill's success was to be expected, but the night always boasts its share of surprising and downright odd choices--like, for example, Shelby Lynne taking home a major award for Best New Artist. "I Am Shelby Lynne" is indeed a wonderfully original country-soul album; on the other hand, Lynne was a Nashville recording artist more than a decade ago! Here is a list of the top winners in country, along with our thoughts (and in some cases, our own choices).
BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Winner:
"Breathe"
Faith Hill
...order here.
"Breathe": The smoldering title track to Hill's multiplatinum smash album
benefitted from a sultry vocal performance and a seductive video to boot.
For Hill, this victory follows last year's CMA award for Female Vocalist
of
the Year and her ACM award for Top Female Vocalist. Hill's star is on the
rise and her first-ever Grammy nod is an indication that more accolades
may
be in store for the Mississippian.
Our Pick:
"The Grass Is Blue"
Dolly Parton
...order here.
"Travelin' Prayer": On paper it seems unlikely, but Dolly Parton's roaring
version of a nearly 30-year-old Billy Joel song opens "The Grass Is Blue"
in impressive fashion. Atop soaring fiddle and rippling banjo, Parton
tears
into the tune like gangbusters. For her to have even seen the
possibilities
of this song as a bluegrass burner is worth commending in and of itself.
BEST MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Winner:
"American III: Solitary Man"
Johnny Cash
...order here.
"Solitary Man": Once you saw he was nominated, you just knew that Cash
would take home this award. The Grammy folks love to give the nod to
legends whose time may not be long. Of course, Cash is absolutely
deserving. His voice may not have the resonance it once did, but its
emotional force remains unaffected.
Our Pick:
"dwightyoakamacoustic.net"
Dwight Yoakam
...order here.
"A Thousand Miles from Nowhere": As much as we love Cash's whole album,
we're giving the nod to Dwight Yoakam here. Yoakam was inspired to do an
all-acoustic solo project because of the warm reception fans gave to the
acoustic sets during his shows. The result is the most intimate album of
Yoakam's career and one of the best country albums of the year, one that
puts the focus squarely on his passionate, mournful voice and his classic
country compositions.
BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL
Winner:
"Ride With Bob"
Asleep At The Wheel
...order here.
"Cherokee Maiden": In reality, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have
been
paying tribute to Bob Wills throughout their entire career, even if their
records haven't explicitly said so. Their second homage to Wills helped
focus much deserved attention on the man's enduring music and introduced a
whole new audience to the wonderful world of Western swing.
Our Pick:
Oddly enough, "Cherokee Maiden" was the only song on "Ride with Bob" that
did not feature a special guest artist. Instead, Benson and crew carry the
day themselves, showcasing the crack instrumental skills that are central
to Western swing's appeal. And any opportunity to celebrate Wills's legacy
should be taken.
BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
Winner:
"Breathe"
Faith Hill
...order here.
"Let's Make Love" (duet with Tim McGraw): Let's face it. George Jones and
Tammy Wynette may always be the President and First Lady of country music,
but these days Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are the dominant forces in the
genre's mainstream wing. Considering this, it's hardly surprising that
this
husband-and-wife duet took home the prize for Country Collaboration. The
track, which also appears on McGraw's "Greatest Hits," is quite a steamy
ballad indeed.
Our Pick:
"Latest Greatest Straitest Hits"
George Strait
...order here.
"Murder on Music Row" (duet with Alan Jackson): This song created quite a
stir in Nashville for its condemnation of the country music machine.
Strait
and Jackson, two of country's leading traditionalists, take the industry
to
task for mixing out the fiddles and steels while mixing in the rock drums.
Thus we have a case where the industry is rewarding the artists for
bashing
the industry. Fair enough, though one could make the case that Strait
himself hasn't been immune to commercial pressures in recent years. This
track, however, is an instant classic.
BEST COUNTRY INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Winner:
"Fair Weather"
Alison Brown
...order here.
"Leaving Cottondale" (with Béla Fleck): Banjo wiz Alison Brown teams
up with one of her primary musical influences and takes home an award in
one of the night's biggest surprises. "Leaving Cottondale" was actually
first recorded for Brown's debut album, 1990's "Simple Pleasures," but the
furiously paced new version is truly a head-turner.
Our Pick:
With her sixth release, Brown returns to her bluegrass roots--which, for
someone of her generation, includes both traditional breakdowns and more
progressive, jazz- and classical-influenced compositions. It's nice to see
this veteran banjo picker given her just rewards. "Leaving Cottondale" is
only one of many terrific tunes on the diverse album, which boasts a cadre
of talented guest pickers and singers.
BEST COUNTRY SONG
Winner:
"I Hope You Dance [ECD]"
Lee Ann Womack
...order here.
"I Hope You Dance" (Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sellers, songwriters): The
title track to Womack's third album had this Grammy sewn up the day it hit
the airwaves last spring. Its majestic, if not grandiose sound captured
the
attention of country fans immediately, and its enjoy-life-while-you-can
lyrical message captured their imagination just as fast.
Our Pick:
Womack's song beat out a pair of Faith Hill numbers plus lightweight
entries from Vince Gill and Billy Gilman. We give the nod to Womack's song
as well in a particularly weak field that tends to highlight the
melodramatic.
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Winner:
"Breathe"
Faith Hill
...order here.
Hill's third award of the evening capped an incredibly prosperous year for
this country crossover star. While fans debate how "country" Hill's music
really is--is she a pop diva in country clothes?--her albums continue to
sell like mad and her fandom grows bigger by the hour. Wednesday night's
triumphs will only help her build momentum for the future as she looks to
challenge Shania for the title of crossover queen.
Our Pick:
"Real Live Woman"
Trisha Yearwood
...order here.
It's difficult for Yearwood to compete with the Hills and Twains of the
world when she sticks to mature, heartfelt music of the sort that
permeates
"Real Live Woman." The Georgia-born belter with the perfect pitch has
always shown an affinity for the music of her idol, Linda Ronstadt. Like
Ronstadt, she deftly and tastefully blends elements of pop and country
while finding material from unexpected sources. On her eighth album,
Yearwood sounds as gritty and gutsy as she ever has.
BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Winner:
"The Grass Is Blue"
Dolly Parton
...order here.
The Tennessee-born Parton brings home the hardware for her very first
full-fledged bluegrass release. The move to bluegrass is a natural
progression for a singer who never lost sight of her mountain roots even
as
she detoured into the glitz and ritz of pop stardom.
Our Pick:
Buttressed by some of the most respected pickers in bluegrass, Parton's
vibrant, willowy voice makes a seamless transition to the idiom and
delivers a superb album. Along the way she covers her own material
(including brand-new compositions and old favorites) and the songs of
other
artists ranging from Flatt & Scruggs, the Louvin Brothers, and Hazel
Dickens to Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, and Southern rockers Blackfoot.
Complete list of Grammy nominees and winners
...order here.
You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's
Country Music section.
...order here.
NEW AND NOTABLE
"When Somebody Loves You"
Alan Jackson
~ more
Jackson's ninth effort ranks with the Georgia traditionalist's best
work, proving once again why he's one of the most respected figures
in mainstream country. As usual there are a handful of uptempo odes
to the simple Southern life and a few heartfelt ballad readings. The
two highlights are both testaments to Jackson's songwriting ability:
"www.memory," one of the better Internet-referencing songs so far,
and the terrific "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Uptempo Love
Song," another clever jab at the Nashville hit-making machine.
"Little Sparrow"
Dolly Parton ~ more
Parton's dramatic artistic resurgence continues with the release
of her second consecutive acoustic release, a bluegrass-oriented
follow-up to the wonderful "Grass Is Blue." Similar in feel to that
album, "Little Sparrow" features a number of acoustic music's top
pickers and singers supporting Parton as she runs through a varied
program. Among the diverse artists covered this time are the Louvin
Brothers, Collective Soul, and even Cole Porter.
"The Truth About Us"
Tim Easton ~ more
Once considered the most promising singer-songwriter in Columbus,
Ohio, Tim Easton is poised to make a splash in the big
leagues. Easton recently moved to Los Angeles, got himself a record
deal with New West Records, and now responds with a solid, at times
spectacular label debut. The record features backing by members of
alt-country heroes Wilco, but Easton's gruff vocals and vivid,
introspective songs are the real stars. Fans of people like Steve
Earle and Townes Van Zandt should find much to enjoy here.
"Highways & Dance Halls"
Tyler England ~ more
Tyler England, Garth Brooks's college buddy and former sideman, is
back in business with "Highways & Dance Halls," his first album in
four years and his first for Brooks's Capitol Records. With Brooks
himself at the production helm, England delivers a winning
neo-traditionalist project that highlights his understated vocal
style and stays true to the country roots that his former employer
has tended to leave behind. With special guest Steve Wariner, England
also revisits his one big RCA hit, "Should've Asked Her Faster." If
this album is any indication, he won't be a one-hit hat act for long.
"When It All Goes South"
Alabama ~ more
For 20 years, Alabama have cultivated a large, devoted audience,
amassing a slew of No. 1 hits (42 to be exact) along the way. In
recent years, they've been striving hard to remain relevant, as their
collaboration with 'N Sync would attest. "When It All Goes South"
finds them mining modern R&B, soft rock, and, well, softer rock
territory with mixed results. And one has to wonder how you go from
an 'N Sync guest spot on one album to Christopher Cross on the next.
Perhaps the adult-contemporary world holds more promise than the
boy-band set.
COUNTRY SOUNDTRACKS
More and more filmmakers are turning to the sounds of country music to capture the right mood in their soundtracks. There are currently four excellent major soundtracks that rely heavily on country:
"O Brother, Where Art Thou?" ~ more
The soundtrack to the Coen brothers' new movie features a stirring
selection of Southern roots styles including old-time mountain music,
blues, gospel, and even chain-gang chants. Alison Krauss, Gillian
Welch, and Ralph Stanley are among the participants.
"All the Pretty Horses" ~ more
For director and country fanatic Billy Bob Thornton's film, Marty
Stuart blends traditional country and bluegrass with orchestral
flourishes of strings and percussion on his first movie score.
"The Gift" ~ more
Young neo-traditionalists such as Neko Case and the Souvenirs mix
and mingle with legends like Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Merle
Haggard, George Jones, and Willie Nelson, who contributes a brand-new
recording. Billy Bob Thornton cowrote the screenplay.
"You Can Count on Me" ~ more
This soundtrack surveys the existing catalog of Steve Earle's
E-Squared label, including Marah, the V-Roys, Bap Kennedy, and of
course Earle himself.
RECENT RETROSPECTIVES
Following are some noteworthy best-of collections aimed at the country consumer:
"Greatest Hits"
Tim McGraw ~ more
Mr. Faith Hill is on top of the country world right now, racking
up awards and selling out arenas, and this 15-song set is a fine
introduction for those who haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon.
"The Ultimate Collection"
Patsy Cline ~ more
Looking for a nice compromise between the classic but meager "12
Greatest Hits" and the four-disc "Patsy Cline Collection"? This
two-disc, 32-song set will fit the bill.
"The Best of Joe Ely"
Joe Ely ~ more
This 20-song collection is a well-chosen overview of Ely's career and
a perfect way to get acquainted with the Texan's roadhouse recipe of
country, rock, blues, and Tex-Mex.
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: MERLE HAGGARD
Country legend Merle Haggard has spent the better part of his career
singing about his wild side, his "ramblin' fever," and his turbulent
love life, but the compelling new "If I Could Only Fly" finds a
tender and mature Hag. His priorities may have changed, but his
music's emotional force surely has not. Download a pair of new Hag
tunes for free.
To download two new Merle Haggard cuts go to:
CLICK
Emmylou Harris and Allison Moorer are among the dozens of artists
available for sampling in our Free Downloads area at:
~ more
ADVANCE ORDERS: DOWN THE ROAD APIECE
"I Need You"
LeAnn Rimes ~ more
The 18-year-old Rimes continues her exploration of various pop-music
styles that she showed on the "Coyote Ugly" soundtrack, adding a duet
with Elton John.
"The Houston Kid"
Rodney Crowell ~ more
Crowell's Sugar Hill debut, his first record of new material in four
years, is a reflective 12-song cycle that deals with his childhood
and the rough neighborhood where he lived it.
"Who I Am"
Jessica Andrews ~ more
The sophomore effort from this young singer boasts a title track
that's making headway on radio and on television.
reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates