In a year where much of mainstream country sounded bland and packaged and much of alternative country felt forced and frivolous, Emmylou Harris provided a much-needed antidote. Whether making her own records with old friends, producing a tribute to her original mentor, or guesting on a wide variety of albums, Harris remains one of country music's leading lights. REVIEW
Country titles on our 100 Best CDs of 1999 list include:
"End Time"
Freakwater
REVIEW
Adding country-rock, honky-tonk, and countrypolitan balladry to beef up their bare-bones acoustic style, Freakwater concoct a haunting postmodern tribute to the richness of country traditions that boasts a desolate beauty completely of our own time.
"Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza"
Various artists
REVIEW
Mandolin pickers and bluegrass aficionados will want to hear this stunning double-disc set featuring eight mandolin masters working through a collection of old fiddle and banjo tunes, Bill Monroe favorites, and unique originals.
Country selections from the list of customer favorites include:
"The Mountain"
Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band
REVIEW
Journeyman country rebel Steve Earle hooks up with bluegrass act the Del McCoury Band for a dazzling, passionate, and timeless evocation of that high-lonesome sound.
"Fly"
Dixie Chicks
REVIEW
The shine wasn't even off the "Wide Open Spaces" apple before the Dixie Chicks returned with their follow-up, "Fly," an appealing record that, like its predecessor, nimbly balances traditional sounds and contemporary sparks.
To find out more about "Wide Open Spaces," also a 1999 top seller, go to REVIEW
"Live in Texas"
Lyle Lovett
REVIEW
Lovett's first foray into the world of concert recording marvelously illustrates the soulful singer's versatility. The Lone Star songsmith deftly mixes country, blues, rock, swing, gospel, and R&B across a keen selection of favorites.
The vaunted neotraditionalist dives into the past with both boots on in this all-covers collection of personal country favorites. Jackson tackles songs made famous by his biggest influences, including Merle Haggard, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr., Charley Pride, and, uh, Jimmy Buffett, who joins in on "Margaritaville."
"Grass Is Blue"
Dolly Parton
REVIEW
It seems surprising that Dolly Parton has never recorded an all-bluegrass album until now; the native Tennessean has been singing her own take on mountain music all her life. But it's certainly been worth the wait. Parton's superb new CD is studded with top-drawer pickers like Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Stuart Duncan, and it offers a balance between her own material and covers that range from Flatt & Scruggs, the Louvin Brothers, and Hazel Dickens to Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, and Blackfoot (yes, that Blackfoot).
"Full Western Dress"
Derailers
REVIEW
Sure, the Derailers have an affinity for (if not an obsession with) the music of Bakersfield legend Buck Owens (who guests on a track here), but on their third studio record, they also show a taste for Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, the Byrds, and perhaps even Gerry & the Pacemakers. Even so, the band is able to blend influences into a fresh and exciting sound.
"LeAnn Rimes"
LeAnn Rimes
REVIEW
At 17, LeAnn Rimes is already an established country veteran with star power and a booming voice. Her new project sets her loose on a collection of tried and true classics--many associated with her major inspiration Patsy Cline--along with one new cut, "Big Deal."
"Cold Dog Soup"
Guy Clark
REVIEW
It's been just about 25 years since the Texas song crafter turned heads with his debut classic, "Old No. 1." His new record is another pared-to-the-bone, back- porch, acoustic gem, filled with more of his uniquely compelling tales and graced by his keen eye for odd details. In addition to nine Clark originals, there's a cover of Steve Earle's "Fort Worth Blues," a tribute to old buddy Townes Van Zandt that features Emmylou Harris's exquisite harmonies.
"Songs of Jimmie Rodgers"
Lefty Frizzell
REVIEW
Just issued on CD for the first time, this 1951 set finds the mellifluous Frizzell focusing on Rodgers's gentler side.
"Same Train, a Different Time: Songs of Jimmie Rodgers"
Merle Haggard
REVIEW
Actually, Hag discovered Rodgers's music through Frizzell's tribute record.
"The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute"
Various artists
REVIEW
Bob Dylan lovingly assembled this collection, which features readings by a wide array of rock, folk, and country artists.
"Super Colossal Smash Hits of the 90's"
Mavericks
REVIEW
Four new tunes flesh out this retrospective of one of the most unique country acts of the decade.
"Live with the Possum"
George Jones
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002MZ2M/acousticdigestmu"> REVIEW
It would appear that "No Show" Jones actually showed up for this one!
"Cowboy Sally's Twilight Laments for Lost Buckaroos"
Sally Timms
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002EPKU/acousticdigestmu"> REVIEW
From Bloodshot's "insurgent" stable comes a record of quiet beauty and sleepy-time reflection.
"Ride with Bob"
Asleep at the Wheel
REVIEW
Ray Benson and crew return with a second star-studded tribute to the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills. Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Don Walser are among the list of contributors on this energetic project, along with less-obvious choices like the Dixie Chicks, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, the Manhattan Transfer, and Shawn Colvin.
You can find AATW's first "Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills
and the Texas Playboys" at
REVIEW
"Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions"
Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris
REVIEW
Still basking in the success of their "Trio II" collaboration with Dolly Parton, Ronstadt and Harris return with a wholly distinct record, one that owes more sonically to Emmylou's "Wrecking Ball" than to the two "Trio" affairs. Buttressed by Glyn Johns's bold and often edgy production, the pair attacks songs from the pens of a wide range of songwriters, everyone from Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen to Rosanne Cash and Sinead O'Connor. Harris also cowrote tunes with Luscious Jackson's Jill Cunniff and the McGarrigle sisters.
You can find "Trio II" at
REVIEW
"Wild, Free & Reckless"
Wayne Hancock
REVIEW
Wayne the Train keeps the bare-boned, guitar-pedal steel, honky-tonk sound of Hank Williams alive in fresh and exciting ways. Hancock shows himself to be a crafty and heartfelt songwriter, and his songs take on even more impact when delivered in his one-of-a-kind, piercing twang. And his topflight musicians are ready with a superb solo whenever the Train calls them out!
"Lying to the Moon & Other Stories"
Matraca Berg
REVIEW
Berg has long been one of Nashville's most respected songwriters, penning hits for Deana Carter, Patty Loveless, and Trisha Yearwood among others. Yet Berg's own early-1990s recordings vanished from the shelves in short order. Kudos to RCA for unearthing these tunes, which prove that Berg remains perhaps the best interpreter of her own material.
"The Austin Sessions"
Kris Kristofferson
REVIEW
Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Mark Knopfler, and the aforementioned Matraca Berg headline the roster of impressive guests on Kristofferson's first record in four years. With their able assistance, the Texas "outlaw" reprises his best and best-known songs such as "Sunday Morning Coming Down," "Me and Bobby McGee," and "For the Good Times."
A bluegrass wunderkind by age 13, Alison Krauss has earned countless accolades for her singing and fiddle playing, and in the process she's helped bring bluegrass music into more people's homes. However, with "Forget About It," her lovely and intimate new record, she has submerged the rawer aspects of bluegrass to craft an album full of subtlety and delicate charm. You can find "Forget About It" at REVIEW
"Hank World"
Hank Thompson
REVIEW
The charismatic crooner finds the middle ground between Western swing and honky-tonk on these early-1950s radio shots.
"Willis Alan Ramsey"
Willis Alan Ramsey
REVIEW
The landmark album from the J.D. Salinger of 1970s Austin songwriters finally joins the digital age.
"Waylon Live"
Waylon Jennings
REVIEW
The reissue of this classic 1976 record adds nine unreleased cuts to an already formidable collection.
Australian singer Sherrie Austin describes her homeland as "just like a big old suburb of Texas." Country music thrives down under, and it was there that Austin heard the music of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn as a youngster. On "Love in the Real World," she fuses the traditional sounds of those artists with the spunk of contemporary pop. Amazon.com talks with Austin about life in Australia, her songwriting habits, and the changing face of country music. You can find "Love in the Real World" at REVIEW
"Fly"
Dixie Chicks
REVIEW
The shine isn't even off the "Wide Open Spaces" apple, but the titillating Texas trio is back for more.
"End Time"
Freakwater
REVIEW
The blue Kentucky girls (and guy) broaden their artistic palette.
"I Feel Like Singing Today"
Jim Lauderdale and Ralph Stanley
REVIEW
The soulful Nashville songwriter and the bluegrass paragon join forces.
"Live in Texas"
Lyle Lovett
REVIEW
Lovett's first foray into the world of concert recording marvelously illustrates the soulful singer's versatility. The Lone Star songsmith deftly mixes country, blues, rock, swing, gospel, and R&B across a keen selection of favorites. At times, he beefs up with blaring horns and swooping singers; at others, he pares down to modest ballad accompaniment.
"Long Way Home from Anywhere"
Bruce Robison
REVIEW
The tall Texan--Mr. Kelly Willis to you---returns with his second major-label release, one that builds on the promise of 1998's excellent "Wrapped." Robison blends a mature Texas songwriter aesthetic with a variety of musical styles that includes at various times Western swing, country-rock, easy-shuffling honky-tonk, and gentle folk. Robison's lyrics are intelligent without being precious, and he owns an acute ear for softly appealing melodies.
"Crusades of the Restless Knights"
Ray Wylie Hubbard
REVIEW
Speaking of progressive Texas songwriters, elder statesman Ray Wylie Hubbard has been plying his trade since forever but he's truly blossoming in the 1990s. "Crusades" follows up 1997's superb "Dangerous Spirits" and boasts lyrics that can be sensitive or scathing (or both) and that can tackle mundane or metaphysical subjects (or both). Hubbard's tales are cautionary yet oddly comforting (if you're on the right side), and his world-weary voice, backed by Lloyd Maines's dynamic, mostly acoustic production, proves to be the perfect medium.
"Beneath My Wheels"
Kevin Welch
REVIEW
Best known in Nashville's conservative circles as a topflight songwriter, Kevin Welch proves that he is without doubt the best interpreter of his own material. "Beneath My Wheels," Welch's first record in four years, impresses on many levels. His songs have a knack for vivid detail and forward motion (both lyrically and musically), and they feature a biting, meaty sound (thanks in large part to guitarist Mike Henderson) that blends country, blues, and rock and meshes well with Welch's deep-growl delivery.
"Return of the Grievous Angel"
Tribute to Gram Parsons
REVIEW
With Parsons's protege Emmylou Harris on board as executive producer, it's no wonder that this heartfelt yet ambitious homage succeeds. Harris pulls together a formidable group of likely (Mavericks, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Whiskeytown, Gillian Welch) and less-likely (Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Beck) interpreters for a record that remains true to the spirit of the country-rock pioneer while allowing each artist's own muse a chance to be heard.
"Forget About It"
Alison Krauss
REVIEW
"Tall Tales"
The Hot Club of Cowtown
REVIEW
"Glimmer"
Kim Richey
REVIEW