Midwest BEAT Magazine

FEATURES

NORTH OF NASHVILLE

(Country Music News Column)

by Ken Churilla

   We've got a lot ground to cover this month, so there's not a lot of time
for witty banter. Sorry.
   The holiday shopping season is upon us and don't think for a minute that
Nashville didn't notice. As usual, they've released a good chunk of new
albums and artists in the last few weeks, hoping that we'll plunk down our
hard-earned money for their stocking stuffers.
   But as I do every year, I'm not just going to go down the list of albums
that are new and ready for buying. Instead, I'll shed some light on some of
the great albums of the last year. This way, when you're pushing your cart
through the CD racks or writing your letters to Santa, you can head towards
some of the better albums for gifts.
   Bare in mind, these are in no particular order.
   Kim Richey - Bittersweet. This is Kim's third album and hands down her
best effort to date. A singer/songwriter who is one of the best at her
craft, this woman is truly an angel with a microphone. If you're a fan of
songbirds like Faith Hill or Martina McBride then this is an album you
absolutely have to get. And that's not a slight in the least to Faith or
Martina. I think those are two of the best female vocalists to ever grace
country's stage.   That being said, you can see how highly I regard Kim
Richey.
   Speaking of Faith and Martina, both of their new albums Breathe and
Emotion respectively are worth their weight in gold. Martina seemed to go a
bit more bare and honest, with songs that really allow you to wrap yourself
up and get lost in them. Faith, what can I say? She's just in that mode
that no matter what she touches turns to gold.
   Though it came out a while ago, Marty Stuart's latest effort, The Pilgrim
is the most under appreciated album of the year. Most artists record their
whole lives and never even come close to the magic that Marty has laid down
here.
   Under The Influence from Alan Jackson isn't what you would expect from a
typical "tribute" album. Alan is one of the few guys who can take a tribute
album and make the songs his own while at the same time never letting you
lose sight of where they came from.
   The Dixie Chicks sophomore release, Fly, is an album that's obviously
worthy of whatever price the sticker says. But the same goes for some other
albums that haven't gotten the press and mentions that the Chicks did, namely
Kenny Chesney's Everywhere We Go. Complete with the big orange ball song and
"You Had Me From Hello" and this is an album that goes much deeper and much
further than Kenny has ever gone before.
   Veteran country statesman, Kenny Rogers, pulled his head out of the sand
this year and came back strong with a great album She Rides Wild Horses. You
don't have to be a Kenny fan to love this album, you just have to love good
country music and you'll be set with this one. Some sure buys are Dwight
Yoakam, The Mavericks and Mary Chapin Carpenter, each of who have Greatest
Hits packages on the racks.
If you're looking for some new country music CD's, this is the year for it.
I know this sounds corny, but one of the best things about Christmas is the
music. Playing it while you trim the tree or wrapping the presents. Even
when you're just lying on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate wrapped up in
a blanket and someone else's arms.
   As far as Christmas albums go, it goes without saying that they're almost
all fairly interchangeable as far as song selection goes. But if you're a
fan of really great, lush holiday singing, there are some albums on the
shelves that you need.
   The Big 3 have come out with new Christmas albums - George Strait with
Merry Christmas Wherever You Are; Garth Brooks with The Magic of Christmas
and Reba McEntire with her Secret of Giving. Other ones to consider are
Martina McBride's White Christmas and Bryan White's Dreaming of Christmas.
   It seems we are running out of space for this month, so I'll leave you all
with this... To all country music fans - Merry Christmas and a very Happy New
Year to you and your families.
    And to you Deb, remember this. Every day I wake up I find myself doing
the impossible and saying the same thing - I love you more today than I did
yesterday. Merry Christmas Sweetheart.
   Remember to give the gift of music! I'll see you all back here in February!