New CDs in stores today come from one of country music’s most-hyped stars, one of country and folk’s most celebrated luminaries, and one of pop music’s most consistent voices.
Gretchen Wilson, “All Jacked Up” (Sony) Did we need to hear Gretchen Wilson, the self-proclaimed “Redneck Woman” of country music, cover Billie Holiday? Regardless, Wilson plows through Lady Day’s “Good Morning Heartache” here – and it’s only the icing on the cake, which is expectedly sweet and thickly frosted. Certain titles say everything – “Skoal Ring” and “One Bud Wiser” – but others, including the curious Merle Haggard duet “Politically Uncorrect,” are slightly more interesting.
Neil Young, “Prairie Wind” (Reprise) Fans of Young are calling this record a full-circle moment of a sort, saying it’s bringing him back to the aesthetics of 1992’s “Harvest Moon” and the surrounding era.
Sheryl Crow, “Wildflower” (A&M) Sheryl Crow is an expert at this game. She knows what you want, and she knows how to give it to you. And this record – her sixth – is more of the same appealing, singalong, radio-dominating material you’re accustomed to getting from Crow, who seems less likely to experiment here than in previous efforts.
– Ricardo Baca
