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Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe
:Album Description:Cherryholmes, two-time-Grammy nominees and 2005 International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainers of the Year, return with their third album for Skaggs Family Records, exhibiting the band's musical progression without losing the aggressive instrumental style and family harmonic blend for which they are known. Traditional bluegrass elements remain prevalent in songs like 'Devil In Disguise' (consequently, the only song on the album not written by a member of the Cherryholmes family), 'My Love For You Grows' and the catchy Celtic 'Sailing Man'. At the same time, advanced melodies and chord progressions are explored in ...
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A Brad Paisley Christmas
: :A worthy addition to the country Christmas collection, this succinctly titled album combines respect for tradition with contemporary inspiration. 'Winter Wonderland' features a Western swing arrangement and country references in the lyrics, 'Away in a Manger' has a Cajun feel, and the 'Jingle Bells' instrumental benefits from an injection of rockabilly twang (as does Paisley's revival of Buck Owens's 'Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy'). Among the original material that distinguishes the collection, 'Penguin, James Penguin' is like 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' for the higher-tech generation, as Santa enlists a 'secret-agent bird' to ...
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Good News
: :Kathy Mattea's lovely, strong vocals, coupled with uplifting arrangements, make Good News an especially rich and deep spiritual testament. 'There's a New Kid in Town' is the highpoint of this 1993 outing, but 'Christ Child's Lullaby' and the title track really showcase the soulful and smart Mattea. In time, this might prove to be a seasonal country classic. --Martin Keller
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Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
:Album Description:Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol 2, his second collection of greatest hits. Showcasing a body of work bookended by 1994's 'Not A Moment Too Soon' and 2006's 'My Old Friend,' it is a reminder of the consistency and depth that have made him such an icon. Several of the songs are drawn from two albums he recorded in a mountaintop retreat with his touring band, 2002's Tim McGraw & the Dancehall Doctors, and 2004's Live Like You Were Dying. Together, they sold seven million copies, and between them they produced hits like ...
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The Best...So Far
: :Not exactly a country artist, since her records lack twang, and too casual and intimate to make for a standard-issue MOR pop performer, Anne Murray's phenomenally warm, smooth voice has nevertheless secured a lofty place for her in both categories--and has occasionally brought her into the mainstream (read: traditionally rock and soul dominated) pop arena. If you're not a fan, or much of a country enthusiast, it's her '70s pop hits that'll make the package worthwhile. 'Snowbird' is here, as is 'You Needed Me.' If you are a fan, or are looking for ...
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Ultimate Waylon Jennings
: :Not exactly a country artist, since her records lack twang, and too casual and intimate to make for a standard-issue MOR pop performer, Anne Murray's phenomenally warm, smooth voice has nevertheless secured a lofty place for her in both categories--and has occasionally brought her into the mainstream (read: traditionally rock and soul dominated) pop arena. If you're not a fan, or much of a country enthusiast, it's her '70s pop hits that'll make the package worthwhile. 'Snowbird' is here, as is 'You Needed Me.' If you are a fan, or are looking for ...
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Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets
: :GEORGE JONES - BURN YOUR PLAYHOUSE DOWN: The Unreleased Duets is a collection of never-before-heard duets between Jones and an illustrious group of guest stars. The recordings range from the mid-70s with his ex-wife, the First Lady of Country Music, Tammy Wynette, to the most recent recording from 2007 with his daughter, Georgette, the only child from the union of George and Tammy. Duet partners include Keith Richards, Leon Russell, Mark Knopfler, Shelby Lynne, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Mark Chesnutt, Tammy Wynette, Jim Lauderdale, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Georgette Jones ...
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James Taylor - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
: :After the frequently dark themes of his Warner Bros. years, James Taylor lightened his approach in the '80s and '90s with gentle affirmations such as 'That's Why I'm Here' and 'Shed a Little Light.' Greatest Hits Volume 2, a sequel to the 1976 disc that has sold 11 million copies, covers this material with a generous 16 cuts. Unfortunately, thanks to the often too-polite production and a couple too many oldies covers ('Handy Man' is exquisite, 'Up on the Roof' and 'Everyday' somnolent), the work here is uneven and blurred together. A handful ...
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King of the Mountains
: :After the frequently dark themes of his Warner Bros. years, James Taylor lightened his approach in the '80s and '90s with gentle affirmations such as 'That's Why I'm Here' and 'Shed a Little Light.' Greatest Hits Volume 2, a sequel to the 1976 disc that has sold 11 million copies, covers this material with a generous 16 cuts. Unfortunately, thanks to the often too-polite production and a couple too many oldies covers ('Handy Man' is exquisite, 'Up on the Roof' and 'Everyday' somnolent), the work here is uneven and blurred together. A handful ...
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Tracy Chapman
: :One of the most striking debut albums ever released, this disc instantly established Chapman as a musical force, and with good reason. Immediacy, integrity of purpose, and unqualified artistry are apparent in nearly every song. And while 'Fast Cars' remains Chapman's best-known work, 'Talkin' Bout a Revolution' is that rarest breed: a song which is both topical and timeless. Any exploration into Chapman's work should begin with this at times stunning effort; it's a disc of remarkable uniformity and clarity that Chapman has yet to improve on. --Wayne Pernu
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Diesel vehicles have nearly a 50-percent market share in Europe, thanks to tax incentives and diesel-friendly legislation across the EU. Diesels are so passé there that you can buy a BMW 730d and no one will think it odd that your luxury car burns oil. Pull up in a diesel 7-Series in America and people would leer at you like you've alighted from an amphibious vehicle reeking of saltwater and dead trout.
