The Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family

Dualtone – 80302-01162-2

Format: CD, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2004
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Worried Man Blues: George Jones (3:11)
02 No Depression In Heaven: Sheryl Crow (3:20)
03 On The Sea of Galilee: Emmylou Harris with the Peasall Sisters(3:16)
04 Engine One-Forty-Three: Johnny Cash (3:38)
05 Never Let The Devil Get the Upper Hand of You: Marty Stuart & Fabulous Superlatives (4:50)
06 Little Moses: Janette and Joe Carter (2:19)
07 Black Jack David: Norman and Nancy Blake with Tim O'Brien (2:57)
08 Bear Creek Blues: John Prine (4:23)
09 You Are My Flower: Willie Nelson (2:39)
10 Single Girl, Married Girl: Shawn Colvin with Earl Scruggs and Randy Scruggs (2:19)
11 Will My Mother Know Me There?: The Whites with Ricky Skaggs (3:04)
12 The Winding Stream: Rosanne Cash (4:31)
13 Rambling Boy: The Del McCoury Band (4:24)
14 Hold Fast To The Right: June Carter Cash (2:55)
15 Gold Watch And Chain: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Kris Kristofferson (4:06)
[Credits]
Producer: John Carter Cash
[Notes]
Country musicians, be they alternative, traditional, or neo-traditionalist, never tire of singing praises to the Carter Family. Heck, even the occasional rocker will say a few kind words about the Carter legacy. With this type of enthusiasm, there's never a bad time to put together a tribute album like The Unbroken Circle. The album is packed with VIPs like Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson, and it even includes no less than three Cashes (Johnny, June Carter, and Rosanne). Despite this impressive list, The Unbroken Circle gets a very rocky start with lukewarm efforts by Jones, Crow, Harris, and Johnny Cash. Jones and Cash sound fairly rough, and Harris' outing, backed by the Peasall Sisters, is underwhelming. Crow's appearance on a country record is somewhat surprising, and perhaps it was meant to add a little pizzazz to the disc. Unfortunately, she sings "No Depression in Heaven" as though she were auditioning for Freakwater. While the album never quite recovers from this early stumble, there are bright spots after those first four songs. Marty Stuart offers a truly superb version of "Never Let the Devil Get the Upper Hand of You," filled with creepy ambience and a fine vocal, while Janette and Joe Carter's take on "Little Moses" sounds more old-time than the Carter Family. There are solid offerings by Nelson, John Prine, and the Del McCoury Band before everything comes to a crash landing with the less polished contributions of June Carter Cash and Kris Kristofferson. While fans of the artists on this compilation may want to check it out, there are better Carter Family collections (Bristol by Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice and Songs of the Carter Family by Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin), and there's always the option of listening to the Carter Family themselves. -- AllMusic Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute

Lost Highway 088 170 239-2

Format: CD, HDCD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Rock, Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Rock & Roll
[Tracklist]
01 I Can't Get You off of My Mind: Bob Dylan (2:57)
02 Long Gone Lonesome Blues: Sheryl Crow (2:56)
03 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry: Keb' Mo' (4:01)
04 Your Cheatin' Heart: Beck (3:41)
05 Lost on the River: Mark Knopfler & His Band with Emmylou Harris (3:03)
06 You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave): Tom Petty (3:11)
07 You Win Again: Keith Richards (4:30)
08 Alone and Forsaken: Emmylou Harris with Mark Knopfler & His Band (3:32)
09 I'm a Long Gone Daddy: Hank Williams III (3:37)
10 Lovesick Blues: Cliff Friend / Irving Mills Ryan Adams (3:23)
11 Cold, Cold Heart: Lucinda Williams (5:08)
12 I Dreamed About Mama Last Night: Johnny Cash (3:13)
[Credits]
Producers: Bonnie Garner, Luke Lewis and Mary Martin, Art Directers: Jim Kemp and Luke Lewis, Designner: Craig Allen, Engneers: Hank Williams and Al Willis
[Notes]
Many tribute albums act as secret promotional tools for the individual labels to push some of their lesser-known artists on the coattails of their heavy hitters. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth on Lost Highway's all-star tribute to Hank Williams, Timeless. Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, and Keith Richards are among the seasoned performers who offer their heartfelt interpretations of Williams' songs, as well as inspired choices from younger artists, including Beck, Ryan Adams, and the grandson of the man being celebrated, Hank Williams III. The songs themselves range from Sheryl Crow's faithful re-recording of "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" to Beck's stripped-down and quirky collaboration with producer Jon Brion on "Your Cheatin' Heart." While the more traditional country songs are entertaining and well-done, the real strong points are the looser, more raw contributions. Keith Richards' boozy rip through "You Win Again" is as intimate and stumbling as ole Hank on his last nights, and hard-livin' torchbearer Ryan Adams' living-room recording of "Lovesick Blues" resonates with the singer's own youthful weariness. The album ends with Lucinda Williams' (no relation) sparse and chilling "Cold, Cold Heart" and Johnny Cash's tender recitation of "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night." While many tribute collections seem disjointed and disappointing, Timeless pulls together some of the most interesting artists available, and their performances, while varied, all display a passionate devotion to the music of one of country's true legends. (AllMusic Review by Zac Johnson)