Julianne Hough CD Review

We have a new singer in the Country music market. Her name is Julianne Hough (pronounced Huff) and you may know her for winning two times on 'Dancing With the Stars' TV programs. Her album debut at number one mainly because she was already known. I bought it the day it came out for $7.99 at Best Buy. Here is a cute picture form the album.
The Album consists of 11 songs and has a great country sound. They are playing the debut song now. Julianne Hough exudes talent in dancing, singing and presence.

1. 'That Song In My Head' - What a great start for a career.

2. 'You You You' - This is a cute perky song.

3. 'Hide Your Matches' - Sultry ballad with a great story.

4. 'My Hallelujah Song' - Everyone should have a there own hallelujah song.

5. 'Jimmy Ray McGee' - A song with a message of choice. Think before acting and going the wrong way.

6. 'Dreaming Underneath the Same Moon' - Duet with her brother Derek (from DWTS), what a great duet. Derek is a really good singer and could also do well in the country market.

7. 'About Life' - Perky song.

8. 'Hello' - I love it (Hello are you listening to me?).

9. 'Help Me, Help You' - A sad song of dependence.

10. ' Love Yourself' - This is an okay song.

11. 'I'd Just Be With You' - This is one great ballad.

Certainly a great album to add to your country collection. Julianne should go far in the country singers circuit.

Alan Jackson 'Good Time'

If you don't know Alan Jackson you don't know Country Music. Alan is one of the true great singers of these days. His new CD 'Good Time' is one of his great grouping of songs. He said he went back to his roots and I for one am glad he did. This CD has 17 songs and a good mixture.

The first release from the CD 'Small Town Country Boy' is climbing the charts.

Alan tells the story of 'I Still Like Bologna on White Bread' on this video. And guess what, I do also I enjoy the simple lyrics of the song. BTW: I had a bologna sandwich on white bread for lunch today.

The Caribbean beat on 'Laid Back in Low Key (Cay)' is really nice. It fits the beat and is very enjoyable.

Here is a sassy song (You've Got Me) 'Right Where I Want You'. It may go up the chart.

'If Jesus Walked the World Today' is a good interpretation of life of today. If Jesus was in the USA in the South he would act like a common man (hillbilly).

This is one that could rise up the chart. 'This Time' is a special ballad that really could go far. This song reminds me of 'Drive' and I loved that song.

This is an CD with a lot of neat songs. These are only pre-release clips to give you a feel of the CD. I love ballads and this CD is filled with them from a great singer/song writer. I really enjoyed it and I hope you will also.

Josh Turner 'Everything Is Fine'

Josh Turner was a new singer in 2004 and I enjoyed his music. My wife and I went to Pepsi Roadhouse in PA to see him perform in 2005 and he was singing with Daniel Peck as the opening act. That was one great show. Josh is a family man and his wife is the back-up and keyboard on many of his songs. He has released his third album in late 2007 named 'Everything Is Fine' (this is Josh talking about the CD). My wife gave me a copy at Easter because I had mentioned I was looking for it because of the latest release. I also have his first Two CD releases which are winners.
His great bass sound again resonates though the songs on this CD. He reminds me of the great Johnny Cash when I listen to him sing. He was inducted into Grand Ole Opry in 2007 which is an honor for a young singer. He has received many awards and he and his wife had a little boy last year. He is touring with Carrie Underwood this year. Josh does a lot of ballads which I really enjoy. There are 12 songs and one is better then the next.

The CD named song 'Everything Is Fine' will do quite well when released.
The first release from the CD was 'Firecracker' a fast moving song about his wife. This is a cute song and a good video.
The second release 'Another Try' with Trisha Yearwood is a sure hit and hit #9 this week. Josh and Trisha did a great job on this love song. This has been my opening song on the blog for a while. I really enjoy the sound.
You have to check this one out Jedi. It is called 'The Longer the Wait (The Sweeter the Kiss)'. It has a Scottish sound and ends with the bagpipes closing the song.
'The Way He Was Raised' is an interesting story of Jesus and is a great song. I relly enjoy the way Josh tells his story. you can see Josh's faith in his songs.
Well how about Josh growing up, you have 'South Carolina Low Country' to hear his story.

'Trailerhood', 'Soulmate', 'Baby I Go Crazy', 'So Not My Baby', 'One Woman Man' and 'Nowhere Fast' with R&B Soul singer Anthony Hamilton completes the album.

This is the complete album and is only a sampling of how good it is. This is a sure one to buy if you like country music.

Brooks & Dunn 'Cowboy Town'

I would like to say up front I'm not a critic, I'm a fan of Country Music and movies. Saying this in front it's hard for me to say a CD doesn't meet my expectations. I have to say that 'Cowboy Town' was not my favorite CD. The songs that have been released from the CD have been good so I expected more of the same. It's lucky I bought the CD at Wal-Mart because it had three Wal-Mart exclusive songs that were pretty good.

I really enjoy Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn as a duo. I feel Ronnie Dunn is the best singer of the two and has done some great ballads through the years. 'God Must Be Busy' falls into that category. There is another good song which was already released 'Proud of the House We Built'.

"Cowgirls Don't Cry' is the third song on the standard tracks which I enjoyed. I feel a lot of the other songs are so-so.

All the Wal-Mart exclusive tracks are ones I like. 'Cowboys, Cowboys' has a great beat and "Damn Right I'm Gonna Miss You' are both led by Ronnie and his soulful sound. Kix does a song 'Walk Away Slow' which is a better song by him.

I think if you like Brooks and Dunn you need to buy the CD from Wal-Mart for the extra tracks.

Trisha Yearwood 'Love Songs'

My wife gave me a copy of this CD for Valentines Day. It has a great picture of Trisha on the cover. I would think most of you know that She is married to Garth Brooks. That certainly is a combination of two powerful voices.

The album opens with her first release from 1991 'That's What I Like About You'. This is what brought her into fame with the CD. She really is a powerful singer.

Also in 1991 was her signature song that is still played today. It went to Number 1 on the charts, 'She's In Love With the Boy'.

In 1992 she sang a super ballad that showed pure emotion 'Down On My Knees'. I'm a sucker for ballads anyways, so I really enjoy this one.

She followed it in 1993 with two other great ballads, 'I Don't fall In Love So Easy' and 'The Nightingale'

Two years later in 1995 "Thinkin About You' went Number 1.

In 1998 she did 'I'll Still Love You More', another really good ballad.

There are 14 love songs in all ranging from 1991 to 2005. If you like Trisha's voice you will really enjoy this CD.

Random Toughts for 2008

I was going to put down some random thoughts:

1: the weather has been strange this year. We've had two blizzards move in on the weekends. Today it was 56 F this morning and headed into the 60's F. This is a strange start to the winter.

2: The weather plays havoc with my sinuses. I like a steady temperature rather then this bouncing up and down through the temperature reading. We have had two large snows this winter and everything is melted with no signs of winter. It seems that we are going to not stay study during the winter. The next thing that happens is the spring flowers will think they should sprout.

3: The Steeler's lost their play-off game on Saturday. They looked bad during the game but came back after the half to take the lead. It's probably good they lost so I didn't have to suffer through another game. There was no consistency this year. They didn't look like they were the team they were two years ago.

4: Ohio State takes on LSU tonight. It could be a late game. That makes it really hard to stay up until the end. Sometimes when I try I just fall asleep and wake up in the night and check ESPN to get the score. I hope there is a good game tonight.

5: We have had ice on the lakes around here because of the cold spell. That should change quickly with the heat wave.

6: I need to get on with my Fish Ohio writing. The next is a special year to tell stories about. I need to do it this week for sure. It gives me satisfaction to look back over the years. I really enjoy Lake Hodgson.

7: I hope you are enjoying the CD reviews. I certainly enjoy doing them.

Willie Nelson 'Super Hits'

I was walking through Wal-Mart and looking at Cd's and saw a Willie CD called 'Super Hits'. It was on sale for $5 and had my favorite Willie and Waylon duet 'Pancho & Lefty' as one of the tracks. This ranks way up there in my favorite songs of all time close behind 'Desperado' by the Eagles. I brought it home and have really enjoy the CD.

Another of the songs I enjoy is 'Always on My Mind'. It's a classic and tells the story of not always saying what you really feel.

Who among us doesn't remember Willie's big hit 'On the Road Again'. It certainly is the story of Willies life as he travels around the country entertaining.

There is also the Ray Charles hit 'Georgia on My Mind'. I found a video with Ray playing for Willie.

When they titled it Super Hits they weren't lying. It's a great bunch of Willie hits that show his singing ability. There are 10 great hits in all at a great price.

Reba "Duets"

There are several country singers that with one name there is no question who you are talking about. Reba McEntire certainly fits in that class. She has a great CD in "Duets".

Her new CD is a collection of 11 duets. The first one released with Kelly Clarkson is a sad but beautiful song. 'Because of You' is a classic love song of love gone wrong. The video is something to watch and the story is told in word and picture.

Ronnie Dunn wrote 'Does the Wind Still Blow in Oklahoma' and it will give you the feeling of an old country song. It is very nice to listen to. "Faith in Love' with Rascal Flatts is a song about two hearts on different roads. 'When You Love Someone Like That' with Lee Anne Rimes has fine tempo in the song.
'Every Other Weekend' about exchanging the children after a split is one that you will like even though it is sad. Vince Gill joins Reba on 'These Broken Hearts'. I really enjoy this one. She joins Justin Timberlake 'The Only Promise That Remains' and Don Henley (from the Eagles) 'Break Each Others Hearts Again' on two different but special love songs.

Reba has made a great duo CD and several of the songs should rise up the chart.

Kenny Chesney "Just Who I Am"

I got this CD for my birthday. My wife and I went to the Flip Flop this summer and saw a lot of star acts in Cleveland. Kenny certainly has a big fan base and surrounds himself with stars on the tour.
The song that really made we want the CD was "Don't Blink" which is about growing older and how fast life goes by. I would certainly have to say that during the last year time has flown by.

"Never Wanted Nothin' More" is another song about lifes journey. "Shift Work" with George Strait is a fun song with a calypso beat and which is also on "Got a Little Crazy" about being still a little hazy the next day.
"Wild Ride" with Joe Walsh of the Eagles and his guitar licks.
"Scare Me" is a great ballad and you realize that Kenny is a good singer.
This CD has a lot of variety and certainly is very entertaining to listen through.

Billy Ray Cyrus "Home at Last

Billy Ray has been in the news lately because of the fame his daughter Miley has received. His new CD starts out with "Ready, Set, Don't Go". The song on the original release only has Billy Ray singing alone. If you want the song with Miley you must be careful what you purchase. there is an extended release of the CD. "Flying By" is a similar song about a child growing older.

"Beginning" is my favorite song on the CD. I would think it would be the second release from the CD. "Buffalo" is a serious song about losing your job with an interesting comparison.

"Don't Give Up On Me" is an interesting song and is a good listen. "I Can't Live Without You" is a great love song.

There are several remakes on the CD where Billy Ray tries to show his versatility.

Jason Aldean "Relentless"

Jason Aldean has come out with his second CD release. I'm sure most of you heard the first release "Johnny Cash". It certainly doesn't hurt to use a famous name in the title. Most of the album is about love and the direction it's heading. My favorite song on the CD is "Laughed Until We Cried". I feel this is the best song on the CD.

Another song I really like is "Not Every Man Lives". A key line is "every man dies, not every man lives". It is our choice in how we live our life. Life is so fleeting, what do you leave on earth when your life is over. It is a song that makes you reflect on your life.

You can listen to "I Use What I Got" from the CD.

Jason joins with Miranda Lambert for "Grown Woman". They sound good together on the duet. Miranda doesn't do some of the rough singing she does on her songs. Miranda Lambert is Blake Shelton's present girlfriend.

The Cd will leave you wondering if Jason has had a rough time with his girlfriends along life's way.

Brad Paisley "5TH Gear"

Brad Paisley 5TH CD is called"5TH Gear". I already wrote on the song "Letter to Me" last month and now I purchased the CD. Brad has done a great job of putting a variety of song on the CD along with the excellence of his guitar playing. Brad's CD are always so interesting.

Country music fans have already heard "Ticks" and "Online" two fun songs. There are four other fun songs "Better Than This", "I'm Still a Guy", "If Love Was a Plane" & "Mr. Policeman". For instance the line "if love was a plane no-one would get on".

There are 14 Brad songs on the CD plus some extras. "Throttleneck" is pure acoustics with Brad showing off his playing.

There is a future #1 which is a duet with Carrie Underwood called "Oh Love". I can't wait till it debuts on the radio.

There are two other car songs "All I Wanted Was a Car" and "Some Mistakes" where 5TH Gear is included.

Clay Walker "Fall"

Clay Walker has been around a lot of years and put out a new album this year. Clay has so many hits over the years it is hard to count. I have a couple on my music player. I saw Clay in person with my wife in Akron last year. I was so impressed we went to see him in Vegas around our birthday time in December. He does put on a great show and you will never be disappointed if you see him.


His new CD "Fall" is a good one. I bought the CD because of the song "Fore She Was Momma" that was the first release. The title track was released next but I was already excited about "Fall" from listening to the CD. It's a great song with a super story of depending on your man when you slow down. I thought it would go to number 1 but only reached number 5 but was on the charts 31 weeks. This alone shows how good the song was.


There are several other songs on the CD that should go high on the charts. "It ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful)" is one of the future releases that should do real well. It's a story of the homeless girl and her love for her broken doll. Get ready to listen to this one. It has a good chance to go number 1.


He does a special song with the late/great Freddie Fender. They did Freddie's famous "Before the Next Teardrop Falls". This is a video of Freddie sing it. This duet was Freddie's last recording before he past away in October of 06.


"Your My Witness" is another great song. Clay put a lot of good cuts down on this album. This album has enough diversity for everyone.

Jake Owen "Startin' With Me"

I really like to pick out new talent whom I enjoy hearing. This is the case with Jake Owen. When I heard the likes of the title track to the new CD,I had to have it. Jake has a great sound which you would have never known from his first released song off the album which was "Yee Haw" I'm wanting to have a great weekend is the best way to describe the song.

The "Startin' With Me" song is a ballad that talks about different choices he could have made in his life. I really liked it and wanted to see what else Jake would offer on his new album. On his My Space sight he talks with wanting to be a pro golfer until an injury made him change his dream. Country music was a great choice for him.

"Something about a Woman", "Long Night with You" and Hard Not To Love You" are all love songs with different twist. Jake really knows how to tell a love story.

He does a duet with Randy Owen called "You Can Thank Dixie" which is an upbeat solid song.

Watch this youngster for a good future in country music.

Blake Shelton new CD

Blake Shelton is my favorite country artist. I have gone to his live performances five times and seen him with Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry. In the spring he released a new CD called (Pure BS). The title is a play on his name. I normally think that I love every song on his albums. This is an album you have to get used to. The more you hear it the more you like it.

The last time Blake had new CD was in 2004 (Barn and Grill). His new CD has a theme of pain and suffering. The first single from this collection, “Don’t Make Me,” is about one trying to desperately hang on to love in what sounds like a relationship that’s anything but solid. Blake just went through a divorce and it shows in his songs. The rest of the songs have a love gone bad relationships with songs like, "I Don't Care", “She Don’t Love Me,” “Back There Again,” “What I Wouldn’t Give,” and “I Have Been Lonely.” Blake delivers each of these tunes with a different feel so it’s not as if you’re hearing the same song over and over. More pain and regret comes from the song, “It Ain’t Easy Being Me,” in which a man looks at himself and doesn’t like what he sees.

Blake does offer a couple lighter tunes with tracks like “This Can’t Be Good” and the current hit release “The More I Drink.”

This is an album which is well put together with enough variety of tempo and mood to keep any listener entertained through all 11 tracks. In short, Pure BS is a great album.

Cole Deggs and the Lonesome

I have enjoyed the new CD by Cole Deggs and the Lonesome. I like to choose new groups of whom I enjoy their first song. Boy was I surprised by the album. I liked almost every song they did. I had purchased the album because of the song "I Got More". I thought it was a great first release song. There are two other songs I really like is "Twelve Ounces Deep" and "The Girl Next Door" . You can hear all these songs on the My Space web sight above. I would recommend the album.

Look for these boys to go pretty far in country music. They are travelling with Jason Michael Carrol and Bucky Covington. That should be a great show.

The Eagles come flying back

Yes, The Eagles have returned with a new album "Long Road Out of Eden". It is a Wal-Mart exclusive and a two disc set for $11.88. It comes in a brown cardboard case with the two disc and the lyrics in a booklet. I purchased it and was thrilled with the sound of disc one. I enjoyed all but one song on that disc. The first song on the disc starts out acapella and shows that Don Henley and The Eagles can still sing, and sing well. I thought the first disc was a contemporary new country sound but was in the line with one of my favorite country song by The Eagles "Desperado".
You wonder how this sound could be gone country for 28 years since a new studio release was completed. The second disc starts with a "Long Road Out of Eden" which is 10 minutes long. I didn't enjoy the second disc as much because that side is more into a rock sound rather then country. I'm sure the rock enthusiast will love that disc.
The country world will embrace The Eagles just as they have embraced the Garth Brooks in his comeback song.