1 comments about Sowin' Love.

1. The Christian moorings of Paul Overstreet really shine like the stars of heaven in this particular album. Showing the beauty in both the everyday and the difficult trials, this is truly an album which will bless you all the years of your life. It is one of our families favorites.

5 comments about Songs of Inspiration, Vol. 2.

1. This album has some thirteen songs of inspiration, put together with that great Alabama style. Now, Volume 1 relied heavily on those great old hymns, which was wonderful. Volume 2 has some hymns, such as Church in the Wildwood, Will the Circle be Unbroken and Love Lifted Me (which is worth the purchase price of the album!), but moves out into more contemporary songs, with songs such as If I Could Hear My Mother Pray.
   
   Overall, I found this to be a very good album. It's not the pure collection of old hymns that Volume 1 was, but it is still a wonderful and, yes, inspirational album to listen to. I highly recommend this album!



2. Alabama and gospel -- You've got to hear Randy Owens sing Will the Circle Be Unbroken with guest vocalists Del and Ron McCoury.



3. I have been an Alabama fan for years. This CD is a huge disappointment. Most songs seem to all have the same rhythm and there is a total absence of dynamics. There is no excitement to the songs and the voices sound tired. The accompaniment is thin, at best. Their adaptation of "Precious Memories" is a travesty-dull, dull, dull.



4. I was a little disappointed when I heard this album. The songs are wonderful, but the arrangements are missing that great Alabama harmony.



5. Prime Cuts: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again, One Life, When It Comes My Time to Leave
   
   When "Songs of Inspiration" drops in at the pinnacle of the Billboard country album chart without even a radio single, Alabama continues to prove its viability as the bastion of country music. Five months after this successful jaunt, this second installment of the group's foray into inspirational favorites arrives. Recorded in the same session as the first volume, this set also finds lead singer Randy Owen in the producer seat. Further, a similar sonic semblance of gentler and acoustic-leaning underpinnings under gird this new disc. Hence, whether this new collection was initially planned or quickly garnered to capitalize on the success of the first volume remains debatable. Nevertheless, regardless of the album's sui genesis, thus far, "Vol. 2" has flared equally well coming in on the Billboard country album chart at no. 3, trailing only behind Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood.
   
   However, the major departure for this set is the presence of more traditional country inspirational numbers relative to just re-workings of traditional hymns of the church. Best of which is the obscure "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again," an understated guitar-driven mid-tempo reflection of times passed. This is made even more poignant by the group's sibling-like harmonies in the chorus. "Suppertime," a track associated at times with Johnny Cash, also continues the theme of nostalgia that tethers on the maudlin. "The Refrain of John Dillon James," a bluesy rock story song with an arresting plot, which finds Owen delivering with guts and gall. Also, calling back to mind Alabama at their rocking best is their rowdy version of "Down by the Riverside," a 180 degree-overturn of Alison Krauss' famed dirge-like rendition.
   
   Of the two newly penned songs, Teddy Gentry's "When It's My Time to Go" is a gorgeous ballad about a life well-lived (which includes "having Jesus at my side"). Equipped with some tasty steel guitars over a well-crafted melody that calls to mind their "A Better Word for Love," this is indeed a fine piece of art. "One Life," coming from the pens of Eric Todd and Buck Moore, is also a top notched ballad, this time recounting the significance of Christ's birth. A track that ought to be do well during Christmas time. However, the tiresome rendition of old hymns such as "Precious Memories" and "Love Lifted Me" create some yawning moments. While the workman-like rendition of "Church in the Wildwood" sounds more demo-like than a finished product. And pushing the envelope of "inspirational" is the string-laden version of "The Star Spangled Banner." More befitting to the tenor of this CD, more verses (especially the more overtly Christian verses) of this anthem should have been included.
   
   This set is a tad of an improvement from the first volume especially with the inclusion of more propulsive material. However, at times the arrangement of some of these tracks can benefit from a more imaginative production. And with already two volumes of inspiration songs, let's hope that the saturation point is reached. As much as inspirational songs are welcomed, Alabama is still at their best with their original secular material. Let's hope RCA Records will greet us with a new Alabama country record in the near future.

5 comments about Roy Rogers Tribute.

1. In the one original song that Roy Rogers sings on this album, he sings "I feel like I've grown up with everyone who's alive and kickin' today." Surely, for anyone who grew up in the 30s, 40s, or 50s, this album is a stupendous find, a return to a beloved voice and some great old familiar songs. But this album should be on the list of essential country and western albums also. It is fair to say that without Roy Rogers, there would never have been any country music. Let us not forget that country music used to be called Country and WESTERN, and Roy Rogers (not to discount a few others, like Gene Autry) is the reason why.

   I played this album for my kids when it first came out about 10 years ago, and they were absolutely delighted at the arrangements, and especially Roy's yodeling. Of all the good time, nostalgic sounds in the world, that has to rank right up there at the top.

   This is just a great, great album, with one highlight after another. Realizing that Roy was about 80 when he recorded this makes the freshness of it even more amazing. And now that Roy and Dale have both gone on the Last Roundup, the poignancy of "Happy Trails to You", which, of course, concludes the album, is heartbreaking.




2. This is a spectacular collection of songs performed by the late legend, Roy Rogers, and friends. I had the rare privilege of having co-written one of the songs for this wonderful project which honors his memory. "Final Frontier", which is not a streaming audio file, is (and always will be) my pleasure and pride to have been included on this fabulous record. Happy Trails, Roy. Arlene Faith Kortright



3. All others on this album were very good, but, who has been hiding Dusty Rogers voice from us fans. He sounds alot like his Dad and I for one, would like to hear more from him. Go Dusty.



4. It doesn't get any better than this! Roy Rogers and the super stars of today singing cowboy/country songs that almost everybody knows, and they do it VERY WELL. It is pure fun to listen to this album!



5. This CD brings back many memories of childhood and the Saturday morning movies where one would see Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. He was the King of the Cowboys!

1 comments about Smithsonian Folkways American Roots Collection.

1. If you have to listen to any music, this is the collection to listen to. It covers all the basic beginnings of American Music and leaves you with a want for more. You will have all the tracks memorized and will be playing the CD even after the machine is shut-off. The CD shows the incredible range of American music. This is the BEST.

1 comments about A Campfire Homecoming.

1. I bought this cd for 2 songs, but I love all the songs on it.

5 comments about I Heard the Angels Singing.

1. If you like great harmony and good gospel music this one's for you. These boys are the best and I would love them to come over to Australia some time and do a show. I would be the first in line to buy a ticket !!
   Love 'em



2. This group knows how to put sound together! They sound great and harmonize beautifully! Praising God with this music is a great way to spend some time.



3. IMAGINE THIS. A MAN IS CRUISING AROUND IN A CAMARO WITH THE BASS SPEAKERS BOOMING, BUT WAIT THATS NOT ROCK AND ROLL POURING OUT THEM THERE SPEAKERS. THE MUSIC IS THIS ALBUM AND THE MAN IS ME! I KNOW YOU CANT HEAR A SAMPLE OF I "HEARD THE ANGELS SINGING", TOO BAD. IF YOU CAN BELIEVE ME THAT SONG ABSOLUTELY "ROCKS" (FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD). THE MASTERING ENGINEER DID NOT BOTHER TO EQ IT DOWN INTO SOME WARM "FUZZY" EASY LISTENING GOSPEL SONG. THAT SONG WAS LEFT WITH ITS RAW POWER AND BEAUTY! KUDOS TO DOYLE LAWSON AND QUICKSILVER. I CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY THE REST OF YOUR ALBUMS ARE AS GREAT AS THIS ONE!



4. For those who like gospel music and are not familiar with Doyle, Lawson & Quicksilver, do yourself a favor by adding this one to your collection. For those who are familiar with the several cd's available from this group, this one is a must. Cuts include this group's outstanding harmony as well as some superb acappella numbers this group soars with like "Stormy Waters," "I Heard the Angels Singing" and "Rock of Ages." Their upbeat songs use metaphors characteristic of gospel music conveying the need for strength to face life's storms/challenges and the strength one gains by accepting a higher being. Great vocals, excellent instrumentation. I would like to see this groups, and others, include in the jacket printed lyrics to the songs.



5. For those who like gospel music and are not familiar with Doyle, Lawson & Quicksilver, do yourself a favor by adding this one to your collection. For those who are familiar with the several cd's available from this group, this one is a must. Cuts include this group's outstanding harmony as well as some superb acappella numbers this group soars with like "Stormy Waters," "I Heard the Angels Singing" and "Rock of Ages." Their upbeat songs use metaphors characteristic of gospel music conveying the need for strength to face life's storms/challenges and the strength one gains by accepting a higher being. Great vocals, excellent instrumentation. I would like to see this group, and others, include in the jacket printed lyrics to the songs.

5 comments about Celtic Christmas IV.

1. Vol 4 is great and covers the DIVERSITY of celtic tunes. There's an obvious link to these tunes and the last track and, admittedly Windham Hills didn't do it as gracefully as the majority of folks would wish but plz folks, get over it. I enjoy reading the feedback of others because I generally learn much - I agree and thank the reviewer who pointed out 'Derdriu' - great piece of music. Glad I got 'Light of the Stable' (by Emmylou Harris) in the same shipment with this one; perfect bookend piece.
   
   If anyone out there hasn't heard Vol I, II and III you really should but you might OD on traisping through the highlands, that's why I like Ricky.



2. This is Nightnoise at its best, although but one track bears the group's name. However it has nothing to do with standard Yuletide albums- if by that you mean the umpteenth rendition of "God Rest Ye" or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing".
   
   It is pervaded by a Northern Christmas atmosphere that is unmistakeable, and brings to mind the snow-covered flatlands kindled with the small distant lights that go with the image.
   
   (Although to a Mediterranean Roman Catholic as myself, it is quite obvious that Jesus Christ was born on a cool but definitely not snow-ridden night in Palestine)
   
   I totally disagree with previous reviews on the last two tracks. "Kitty Magennis" is a tune by Turlough O'Carolan that has nothing to do with Christmas but in this setting by Patrick Cassidy acquires a certain spirit that makes it fit for the context. And "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" is a beautifully humorous contrast with the rest of the album.
   
   Thoroughly enjoyable, in our family it is one of the two pillars of our Christmas season, together with another album which I highly recommend: Tuck Andress's "Hymns, Carols and Songs about Snow".



3. I am in accord with most of the previous reviewers in that I also feel that "Kitty Magennis" and "Christmas Time's a' Comin'"
   are the "wild cards" popping out of the pack and do NOT belong on this CD! I greatly enjoy Maire Breatnach's "Derdriu," which is almost Appalachian-sounding in my opinion. My favorite cut is the poignant "December Rain" by Brian Dunning and Jeff Johnson.



4. I greatly enjoyed this CD except for the last two cuts, "Kitty Magennis" and "Christmas Time's A'Comin'."
   "Kitty Magennis" seemed too bland and didn't have anything to recommend it. The presence of the Ricky Skaggs song felt like an attempt to make the CD more "Christmassy." Its inclusion in the collection felt like an afterthought or a "throwaway" cut.



5. I, like so may others, picked this CD up at Christmas time 3 years ago. I love it so much, that I am using it for my wedding ceremony to be held outside in July if that tells you anything. PS- All brides looking for Celtic renditions of "Here Comes the Bride", forget it... it is not out there!

1 comments about Back Roads to Cold Mountain.

1. First, this is not the soundtrack to the Cold Mountain movie. That recording, released a year or so ago, featured talented modern musicians who recreated the 19th-Century music from the film and the Charles Frazier novel on which it was based. Back Roads to Cold Mountain covers much (and more) of the same material, except as it was done by authentic mountain musicians.
   
   With one or two exceptions, these songs and tunes were alive during the Civil War. They survived into the early and mid-20th Century, to be rediscovered by folksong collectors. Most selections come from Folkways' deep archives, ably picked by John Cohen, whose recordings with the New Lost City Ramblers introduced many of us to the Appalachian tradition during the 1960s folk revival and after. Frazier himself, who provides the introduction to the enclosed booklet, explains how this music inspired his novel, set in Civil War-era North Carolina. Cohen's extensive liner notes and annotations are informative and engrossing.
   
   Few of the musicians are likely to be familiar, though names like the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Roscoe Holcomb, and Tommy Jarrell will resonate with those who have at least passing knowledge of the tradition. The performances are always inspired, sometimes rawly emotional in a way that has vanished from today's music; sometimes a performance may be even a little frightening, for one dramatic example Oscar Parks's angry rant at the conclusion of the ballad "The Battle of Stone River." French Carpenter's fiddle tune "Camp Chase," on the other hand, aches with mournful beauty.
   
   The sound quality, thanks to modern technology, is so perfectly executed that it serves to erase distance between listener and performer. Time and geography roll away, and you're right there on a back porch or a church bench, hearing the ballads, fiddle pieces, and hymns in person. There is a dark magic in this old music, and Back Roads evokes it brilliantly.

5 comments about Country Music Hall of Fame.

1. That famous line from the musical Oliver fits this CD to a T. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Here you have 14 of his Top 40 Country hits, three of which - Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy, Sugarfoot Rag, and Alabama Jubilee - crossed over into, and did very well on, the pop charts in 1950/51. Along for the ride are lesser hits like When God Dips His Love In My Heart and Deep Blues, which was overshadowed only by the fabulous A-side Midnight in 1952.
   
   No, the problem is Red Foley had SIXTY-ONE Top 40 Country charters between 1944 and 1959, including ten more that made noise on the pop charts. And, with all of them on the Decca label, some don't seem to be available anywhere! The list is far too long to go into here in any detail, but certainly very conspicuous by its continued absence from the market is his first big hit Smoke On The Water which stayed at # 1 Country for thirteen straight weeks in 1944 and even went to # 7 pop. The flip-side - There's A Blue Star Shining Tonight - also scored, going to # 5 Country. A year later he hooked up with, of all people, Lawrence Welk, to record Shame On You/At Mail Call Today which went to # 1 and 3 Country respectively, with the A-side again scoring on the pop charts at # 13.
   
   From 1944 to 1956 he was constantly on the charts, highlighted by 1950 when he had sixteen make the Top 40, including four at # 1 - Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy which is, of course, on this CD, and Birmingham Bounce, Mississippi, and Goodnight Irene which are not. His last Top 40 charter was Travelin' Man which peaked at # 29 Country in the summer of 1959.
   
   Red, who passed away on September 19, 1968, unfortunately didn't get to see his son-in-law make the Top 40 Country charts with Texas Woman in 1976, nor his granddaughter's eight between 1977 and 1981, but he was justifiably proud of Pat Boone and his 38 Top 40 pop hits between 1955 and 1962.
   
   To paraphrase granddaughter Debbie's biggest hit, he indeed "lit up our lives." Come on MCA or whoever, get with it and put out some more Red Foley CDs. In the meantime, enjoy these 16 delightful tracks in wonderful AAD sound reproduction, not to mention the three pages of liner notes written by John W. Rumble of the Country Music Goundation, and the contents partial discography (no chart details).



2. Some nostalgic albums reissues from the 30's, 40's and 50's just don't age that well and just don't sound as well as you might remember them if you were alive in that era. This is a wonderful exception and its sounds as fresh as it did when these songs were first popular. Lots of artists have done Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy, but I never cared for most of the versions; this one by Red Foley is the best version I've ever heard. I came across this album by accident, as you don't often hear Foley's name. Strange since he had the first million seller gospel album and sold over 25 million records in his heydey and influenced many other artists. I am sure I must have heard Foley in the 50's without knowing his name. At that time, this was not called country or country western music. It was cowboy music or it was just the music we listened to on the radio; we didn't really classify it. This is a nice variety of songs all the way from the sad (Old Shep) to the humorous (Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age). There are a few really nice duets too. The sound is sharp and Red's voice is smooth and pleasant. If there is anything disappointing about this album it's that it doesn't go on a lot longer; still with 16 songs, one can't complain too much.



3. Few people today realize what a major impact Red Foley once made on country music, because so little has been written about him over the years. In the 1940s, Foley was a household word in country music. As the host of NBC/WSM's Grand Ole Opry, he was heard coast-to-coast on one of network radio's highest-rated shows, and was highly respected by fans and fellow artists alike.

   Foley's smooth vocal style--quite a lot different from many country artists of the day--helped give him broad appeal. It also enabled him to capably deliver many different types of songs, and this CD presents a great cross-section of them. Here, you'll hear "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy," a number-one boogie-woogie tune from 1950 (number one on both the country AND pop charts at the time), "Careless Kisses," a great example of Foley's delivery of the smooth ballad, and "Peace in the Valley," one of the many sacred songs Red sang so beautifully on his radio programs, and the record that has the distinction of being gospel music's first million-seller.

   If you want to get a glimpse at one of country's giants at the absolute peak of his performing ability, listen to this album. Artists ranging in styles from Hank Williams to Elvis Presley loved his music and admired him, and the songs here clearly demonstrate why.

   Red Foley was the consummate entertainer, and was loved by fans around the world. It's a shame he gets so little credit for the influence he has had on the country and gospel formats, but this CD goes a long way toward keeping his memory alive.




4. I am looking for a record he released. I think the name was "Peace in the Valley",the old version.He narriated a song in it. It was about a little childs death. One line was "HE didn't give that child by a hundred thousand years, He just thought you needed some sunshine, so He lent him to you for a whle" Other songs were "Lady of Fatamia",If you go first, Peace In the Valley, and Just a closer Walk with Thee." If anyone can tell how to get a copy of this album,I would be vere happy. It (the album) got lost when my mother died. It means a lot to me.Help me if you can. Thanx.



5. The first time I heard Red Foley was on a demo disk featuring him and the Andrews Sisters singing one of the songs on this CD Hang Your Head in Shame, on the flip side was another song "Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight". So the first song Hang Your Head In Shame brings back memories. When the Pointer Sisters came out with their song Fairytale I imediatley thought of Hang Your Head In Shame they are both in the same genre of song. Other songs on this CD also bring back memories of a simplier time Old Shep. Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy is a wonderful example of Texas Swing often associated with Bob Wills. While the years seem to have buried Red I feel he is an intergral part of American Popular as well as C&W Music. I only have to hear"Don't your conscience ever bother you everytime you hear my name. Try and think of all that I've been through and Hang your head in shame. You don't miss me since we've been apart, I wish I could say the same...

5 comments about The Legend (Hardcover book and CD edition).

1. This collection of music combined with the book and wonderful pictures makes this is an awesome buy. I'm proud to own this. It's truly a joy.
   I would definately recommend this to any Man In Black fan.



2. For the serious Cash fan, yes. I had been looking for this for awhile. I was impressed with the book, photos and words. Very nice touch with the painting of JR. In fact I am having it framed.
   
   The pictures and book are well bound, and done on nice paper. The content of those photos and writing to go along with them brought that famous JR tear I get in my eye when I hear his songs and stories. The disk set I have enjoyed. I really hope some of the "lost" music comes out from Columbia.
   
   Definitely for the serious collector, but worth the price in my opinion.



3. This is a limited edition collector's set which partly justifies the hefty price tag.
   
   The radio broadcast is pretty Gol-Darn cool. It's Cash's show all the way. Not only does he sing live, he's also the announcer and the commercial pitchman. It's a hoot! On the broadcast, he even plugs his upcoming concert at the Overton Park Shell with Elvis! Very cool!
   
   I wouldn't have bought this for myself, I'll have to admit. But someone gave it to me for Christmas and I'm so glad I got it! What a great gift. I love Discs 3 and 4 the most. Those are the tracks I'm least familiar with.
   
   One complaint. What is "Girl from the North Country" doing here? Since this a rare collector's set, why not put one or more of the unreleased Dylan-Cash collobrations on this? Virtually EVERYONE already has "Girl" in their collection because just about everyone in the country owns a copy of Dylan's "Nashville Skyline".
   
   Cash and Dylan recorded about 18 tracks together and Cash DOMINATES the proceedings all the way. These tracks are great, believe me. Cash fans would love all of them. I don't care because I already own these tracks thanks to Ebay. But why not give Cash collectors a taste of these tracks on the "Family and Friends" disc? Dylan was one of Johnny Cash's best friends and their collaboration was fruitful. It's too bad only one of these tracks has ever seen the light of day.



4. This is an absolutely fabulous collection. The steep pricing it definitely deterring, however if you subscribe to Yahoo! Music Unlimited you can get the whole thing plus approximately 1,000,000 other songs for $6.99 month. Happy Listening. :)



5. Amazon stated that the collection here included "the complete CBS special; the first 25 years"... NOT ... this is an edited version, don't get me wrong I love John and miss him so much and I'm willing to pay highway robbery prices for anything I don't already have (which isn't much) but I'm tired of these record companies selling us something edited and than later re-issue it complete and un-edited just to have us die hards shell out more money to get the extra stuff. This CBS special is missing some performances, but I'll take it and be glad that I have these edited images of the man in black that'll last my lifetime on DVD. I video taped this special for my own use from the original broadcast. The tape has worn through the years but I can still enjoy it in it's entirity (even though the clitches are getting worse). So I'm not talking out of my ass here, I know what I'm talking about. I know it's a lot of money, but it's cheaper then drugs, listening and watching John is my high.
   Go out and see the movie and continue to buy the music and perhaps they'll continue to release previously unreleased materials for us to purchase what we've already purchased but didn't have "the complete" version. (if that made sense?)