Music CDs Reviews

My Turn
Tanya Tucker
CD ($17.98)

One of country's most distinctive female vocalists turns her talent loose—and flips the gender tables over—on this collection of classic tunes originally made famous by men. Tucker, who hasn't released a new studio album in seven years, makes a most welcome return putting her feminine stamp on Buck Owens' "Love's Gonna Live Here," Faron Young's "Wine Me Up," Don Gibson's "Oh, Lonesome Me" and nine other gentlemanly gems she'd spent a lifetime admiring, but never recording until now.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Live at the Meadowlands
Frank Sinatra
CD ($18.98)

 

One of Ol' Blue Eye's most sought-after live recordings, never commercially available until now, has finally been re-discovered, re-mastered and released by his estate. Taped in 1986 in front of a revved-up "homecoming" crowd inside New Jersey's legendary Meadowlands arena, it's a tuxedo-smooth, jazzy-snazzy swagger through "You Make Me Feel So Young," "New York, New York," "For Once in My Life," and 16 other tunes spanning a career that by then had stretched across four decades—a Sinatra smorgasbord!
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Tuxedo Country
The Tom Houston Orchestra
CD ($14.95)

Fans of big band music and classic country will love this roundup of well-known honky-tonk tunes "dressed to kill" with the full orchestrations of a jazzy, snazzy stage ensemble, a la Glenn Miller, Count Basie or Duke Ellington. Bandleader and clarinet virtuoso Tom Houston leads his first-class, 14-man band of saxophones, trombones, guitar, piano, upright bass and drums in "Crazy," "Faded Love," "I Fall to Pieces" and 17 other elegantly styled, uptown fusions of barroom and concert hall. (Available from tomhoustonorchestra.com)
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Steve Martin
CD ($12.98)


Comedian Steve Martin returns to his earliest entertainment roots for this 15-song run through a merry patch of original banjo tunes. He wrote and performed them all, getting some all-star musical assist from Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and Earl Scruggs. If you’re looking for punch lines, you won’t find many (although one track, “Late for School,” hints at Martin’s trademark zaniness). But fans of old-time, grassroots pickin’ and singin’ will find it a surprisingly delightful toe-tapper. (Available exclusively at Amazon.com)
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Heart & Soul
CD (retail $7.98)


As you’re picking out Valentine cards, snap up this special collection—celebrating five decades of Motown—for yourself. There are other, more extensive Motown sets available, certainly. But with “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “My Girl,” “Endless Love,” “Brick House” and six other radio classics, this affordable CD will have your heart thumpin’ and your body bumpin’ without dislocating your wallet. (Available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.)
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Boots, Buckles & Spurs
CD (retail $40.98)

Released in conjunction with the recent 50th anniversary of the National Finals Rodeo event, this three-CD roundup will have you bouncing along in the saddle to the classic sounds of Gene Autry, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Daniels and dozens of others whose music has saluted the cowboy spirit.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Call Me Crazy
Lee Ann Womack
CD (retail $13.98)

On her seventh CD and her first in three years, Lee Ann Womack pledges allegiance to traditional country music with a colorful song pallet that reaffirms her standing as one of the format’s most compelling stylists. You have trouble squeezing a drop of pop out these 12 new songs, four of which she co-wrote, including “Everything But Quits,” a dandy duet with fellow Texan George Strait, and “If These Walls Could Talk,” which elevates a cliché to a devastatingly powerful break-up ballad.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

The Ultimate Oldies But Goodies
10-CD box set (retail $149.99)

Fans of ’50s music will feel like they’re in heaven—or, at least, tooling around in a convertible with the top down, cruising the drive-in and swooning to the sweet, boppin’, bobby-soxin’ sounds of Frankie Avalon, Little Richard, The Platters, Buddy Holly and other musical blasts from the past. These 158 jukebox hits from all the acts you remember—and several you probably don’t—include 2 CDs dedicated to the one-hit wonders who gave us “Earth Angel,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “Book of Love” and 30 other AM radio mini-masterpieces.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Time-Life purchase link

No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner
CD (retail $18.98)

From 1977 through most of the ’80s, this British-American hybrid band, led by the flamethrower vocals of Lou Graham, stormed the charts with a string of singles that helped define the “arena rock” era. If you’ve forgotten just how your stereo speakers thumped to “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Double Vision,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Urgent” (with its burn-down-the-house guest-star sax solo by the great Jr. Walker), this 32-tune collection—which also includes a brand-new song, “Too Late,” and three live tracks—will be a thoroughly rockin’ reminder.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

Mad Men—Music From the Series, Vol. I
CD ($17.95)

Selections from the soundtrack evoke the swinging, retro-styling ’60s setting of this hit AMC TV series about Madison Avenue advertising executives and their lives—and loves—in and out of the office. It’s a cocktail party in your ears with The McGuire Sisters, Bobby Vinton, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald and other radio stars of the era, plus several ’60s-sounding tunes composed specifically for the show.
—Neil Pond, American Profile