CD-Charts Position 221
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Jacksonville City Nights

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Release Date September 23, 2005
Jacksonville City Nights was the second of three albums Ryan released in one year (2005), helping to cement his reputation as one of the most prolific songwriters of recent years. It's always been a point of discussion (argument?) amongst Ryan fans and critics as to whether this is a good or bad thing. In my opinion it's nothing but good. Most artists leave you waiting years between releases and often then give you something disappointing. This isn't the case with Ryan, whose writing is always insightful and always a delight to listen to.

JCN is no exception. It's definitely his most 'country' solo album; as other reviewers have pointed out it's often closer to his days in Whiskeytown. Don't be put off if you're not into country ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 222
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Troubadour

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: George Strait

Release Date March 31, 2008
Troubadour has topped both the US country and pop charts and the title tack and I Saw God Today have made the country top ten. Both of these songs sound personal and reflective. The album demonstrates several styles including Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song (infectious Texas swing song), River of Love (laid backed Jimmy Buffett style), House of Cash (dramatic rock sound), Brothers of the Highway (trucker anthem) and If Heartaches Were Horses (soaring ballad). Despite the several different styles, George Strait has remained true to his style and standards with another great album.

CD-Charts Position 223
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Tennessee Mountain Home: 23 Bluegrass Gems

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 13, 2002
British compilations of country music have greatly improved in recent years. Now, following the success of O brother, we have this amazing collection of 23 bluegrass gems culled from the Warners archive. You might look through the list of artists and think that some of them aren't bluegrass, but all the tracks included here qualify. In some cases, the chosen track may be the only piece of bluegrass they ever recorded, but if that gets the music to a wider audience, the bluegrass specialists will reap the rewards eventually - and some of them (including Ricky Skaggs, Delia Bell, the Cox family, Randy and Earl Scruggs) are included here.

I was already familiar with several of these tracks, though I suspect that for most people who buy this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 224
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Decade

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Neil Young

Release Date July 15, 2002
Having been a fan of Neil Youngs for donkeys years, I can still play a number of his albums and still feel the power from his vocal talents that have seen him go from decade to decade with the thrill and excitement that only a true musician can offer.

The decade album offers some very good tracks for an insite to young for those whom have yet to really listen to what he can offer. Old Man is basically my favourite Neil young song ever and that alone for me sets the standard of a true gifted master at work.

Any neil young album for me is essential to a music collection, and this one paves the way for those who are looking to grasp a section of what Neil has to offer.

CD-Charts Position 225
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Basement Tapes

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Bob Dylan

Release Date June 03, 1996
I love Bob Dylan, and I know it's heresy, but really this is a poor CD set. Put it this way : if I woke up from a coma and had no memory of Bob Dylan, and heard this, I'd think it was a not-very-good set of 60s folk/rock recordings, with just a few decent tracks maybe worth sticking on the iPod.

I would go for it only if you are trying to get everything by Bob Dylan regardless of quality, or you absolutely love 60s folk/rock.

CD-Charts Position 226
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Very special acoustic Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Various

Release Date December 15, 2003
This is the sixth in the series of special Christmas albums dedicated to raising money for the Special Olympics, but this one is very different from previous albums that generally featured pop and rock music. This album, as its title suggests, features acoustic country and bluegrass music. As far as I know, all the recordings are new although some of the artists have recorded their chosen songs previously. Many of the songs here will be familiar to you but the simple acoustic settings featured here allow the singers to bring out the true meaning of each song

The set opens with Reba singing a great version of Silent night. Reba previously recorded this for her first Christmas album, Merry Christmas to you, in the eighties. On that occasion, she did ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 227
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5th Gear

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Brad Paisley

Release Date June 25, 2007
I love Brad Paisley so naturally I adore all his albums and for good reason too.Because the man is simply brilliant!!He always makes an amazing album.
5th Gear includes 4 no.1 hits with the extremely witty uptempos Ticks,Online and I'm Still A Guy(a very funny reference between men & women-so true)and the reflective ballad Letter To Me,You can so relate to this song.
Other gems is the superb electric guitar filled ballad It Did and the cracking bluegrass themed song Mr.Policeman.Brad and his band really let loose on this one.Plus the Grammy winning instrumental Throttleneck and the gorgeous gospel song When We All Get To Heaven ends this excellent collection of songs just nicely.
There's a reason why this album was no.1 in the country charts ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 228
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Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: Silver Jews

Release Date June 02, 2008
Well I have to admit I had completely lost the Silver Jews before earlier this year when I saw them put in a magisterial performance at the Primaverasound Festival in Barcelona. Much of the set comprised of this record. And what a record it is. Somewhere between Kinky Friedman and Nick Cave, David Berman takes his place amongst the pantheon of inspired lyricists. Every song on this record has something going for it. It is one of those great efforts that rewards you with repeated listenings. The lyrics are picturesque and witty, the melodies are beautiful and the overall execution is nigh on perfect. Its the ultimate modern country record. It manages the rare balance of being incredibly smart whilst still amazingly soulful. This is one record that will not get filed away. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 229
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Ingenue

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: K.D. Lang

Release Date March 16, 1992
This is smooth sensual songcraft at its best, and that is why I suggest that the album, with its dark lyrics, is best enjoyed by sharing the musical ecstacy withsomeone else! KD Lang's lush voice washes over you like warm oil!
There are lots of strings, and quite a few Eastern influences here and there I thought. One to play again and again ( but not in the car - seriously - it's late night music.

CD-Charts Position 230
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Music from Big Pink

CD-Charts > Music > Country
by: The Band

Release Date September 11, 2000
I bought this cd as its regarded by many as being influential on rock genres that were to follow. While there are a few decent tracks here, the bulk of the album is pretty mundane. I can see where U.S bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd may have been influenced, but 1968 releases by Cream, Moody's, Tull, Zep etc are far superior, both in material and musicianship and would form more of a basis this side of the pond.

Ok for occasional plays hence 3 stars only.