Album Reviews – Page 30 – Country Universe

Hal Ketchum, Father Time

September 9, 2008 Leeann Ward 1

Hal Ketchum Father Time If you’re looking for slick productions that include loud drums, obligatory guitar solos or simply the polished sounds of today’s country music, this is not the album for you. However, if

Bruce Robison, The New World

September 9, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

Bruce Robison The New World Sometimes labels get in the way of great music. Over the years, Bruce Robison, a singer-songwriter from Bandera, Texas, has acquired more than a few, and many of them have

Rodney Crowell, Sex & Gasoline

September 7, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 3

Rodney Crowell Sex & Gasoline Rodney Crowell has long been one of country music’s most prolific and literate songwriters, but in recent years, he’s developed into the genre’s philosopher-king. His probing and thought-provoking work reached

Patty Loveless, Sleepless Nights

September 6, 2008 Guest Contributor 19

Patty Loveless Sleepless Nights Thankfully for country music disciples, Patty Loveless blends classic and contemporary country music seamlessly, a practice that is often used, but rarely mastered. On Sleepless Nights, she delivers a record that

Jessica Simpson, Do You Know

September 4, 2008 Guest Contributor 35

Jessica Simpson Do You Know Jessica Simpson is all country. At least by her own account. She has fully embraced the sound of Nashville pop-country, along with all the elements of its image. The conversations

Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul

September 3, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

Patty Loveless Mountain Soul 2001 With Mountain Soul, Patty Loveless returned to her roots and re-energized a career that positioned her as an ambassador for both the historical lessons and the promising future that country music

Vince Gill, The Way Back Home

September 1, 2008 Leeann Ward 4

Vince Gill The Way Back Home 1987 Vince Gill’s third and last album for RCA is his best for the label. It even contained a few moderate hits. With this album, the production becomes more

Johnny Cash, At Folsom Prison

August 31, 2008 Guest Contributor 14

Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison 1968 A large part of Johnny Cash’s musical identity was established, of all places, in prison. Although the singer himself stayed on the right side of the law (for the

Reba McEntire, For My Broken Heart

August 31, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 0

Reba McEntire For My Broken Heart 1991 Recorded in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that killed her tour manager and most of her band, For My Broken Heart is Reba McEntire’s masterpiece, a

Mary Chapin Carpenter, Stones in the Road

August 31, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 12

Mary Chapin Carpenter Stones in the Road I believe the essence of God is reflected in the very best art. By that standard, Stones in the Road has been my gospel, the defining record that