2012 – Page 10 – Country Universe

Country Universe Turns Eight: Leeann's Favorites

July 31, 2012 Leeann Ward 4

In 2007, a little over five years ago, I discovered Country Universe. At that point in my relationship with mainstream country music, I had been a diehard fan for over ten years, but was realizing that I was starting to feel less content with Top 40 country radio.

100 Greatest Men: #42. Porter Wagoner

July 30, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 2

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

Known affectionately as the Thin Man from the West Plains, Porter Wagoner was a steadfast champion for the traditions of country music, even as he used forward-looking methods of delivering it to the masses.

100 Greatest Men: #43. Roger Miller

July 30, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 7

100 Greatest Men: The Complete List

He became widely hailed for his lightning-fast wit and charming novelty songs, but Roger Miller’s talents ran far deeper than just the moments of comedic brilliance that made him a legend.

Single Review: Dustin Lynch, "Cowboys and Angels"

July 29, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 3

If this was released twenty years ago, it wouldn’t catch much attention amidst the wave of hat acts attempting to break through.

Released in today’s climate, Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels” sounds almost revolutionary in its retro feel. It certainly doesn’t sound like anything else on country radio today. Between Lynch’s baritone vocals and the High Noon production, it’s a somewhat theatrical record, like something you’d expect to hear at the O.K. Corral a century and a half ago.

Retro Single Review: Alan Jackson, “Song For the Life”

July 28, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 3

1995 | Peak: #6

The list of distinguished artists who have recorded “Song for the Life” is a long one, but Alan Jackson is the only one who managed to make a hit out of it.

Retro Single Review: George Jones & Alan Jackson, "A Good Year for the Roses"

July 28, 2012 Kevin John Coyne 4

1994 | Peak: #56

So, Alan Jackson is at the peak of his first wave of popularity, and he partners up with a still-potent George Jones to cover one of the Possum’s greatest singles.

I qualify that statement with “one of”, simply because “He Stopped Loving Her Today”, “The Window Up Above”, and “She Thinks I Still Care” exist, but in my personal opinion, the original recording of “A Good Year for the Roses” really is the best George Jones single.

Album Review: Various Artists, <i>KIN: Songs by Mary Karr & Rodney Crowell</i>

July 27, 2012 Ben Foster 3

Various Artists
KIN: Songs by Mary Karr & Rodney Crowell

A collection of songs written by industry veteran Rodney Crowell along with bestselling author and poet Mary Karr, recorded by a who’s who of country and Americana music greats. It should be enough to set the mouth of many a roots music aficiando watering.