April 2007 – Country Universe

Carrie Underwood, “I’ll Stand By You”

April 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 65

The original version of “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders is a love anthem that is part tenderness, part defiance. In covering this standard from the early nineties, Carrie Underwood transforms it into a

Worth Reading: April 27, 2007

April 27, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 5

Here’s what’s been catching my attention today: Album Reviews City Girl, Country Girl has high praise for the new John Prine & Mac Wiseman release Standard Songs For Average People: The sound of the album

Joe Nichols, “Another Side of You”

April 27, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

Joe Nichols, “Another Side of You” Nichols is the perfect singer for material like this. The song manages to sing of loving a woman’s weaknesses without condescension and of her daily challenges with quite a

Carmen Rasmusen, “Nothin’ Like Summer”

April 27, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

Carmen Rasmusen, “Nothin’ Like Summer” Sweet and nostalgic, the debut single from season two American Idol finalist Carmen Rassmusen bounces along pleasantly. Her vocal is actually stronger when she isn’t squeezing in the high note

Worth Reading: April 23, 2007

April 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 2

Too much good stuff out there to wait. Here’s what’s caught my eye around the net today: Slant Praise for Dale Watson, Twang Nation Joins CMT Awards Backlash One week after awarding four stars to

Martina McBride, “How I Feel”

April 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Martina McBride, “How I Feel” This is the most generic love song I’ve heard in a long, long time. She sings it beautifully, and with more restraint that she’s been known for recently.

Review: Keith Urban, “I Told You So”

April 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Keith Urban, “I Told You So” Kick anything off with a tin whistle that has a Celtic feel, and you’ve got my attention. I love Urban’s most recent album because he expands on his basic

Review: Keith Anderson, “Sunday Morning in America”

April 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Keith Anderson, “Sunday Morning in America” Remember that Craig Morgan hit “That’s What I Love About Sunday”? How about the Johnny Cash classic “Sunday Morning Coming Down”? Two completely different portraits of the Lord’s day

Worth Reading: April 21, 2007

April 21, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 2

Worth Reading: April 21, 2007 There are some interesting stories, reviews and opinion pieces floating around the ‘net this week, many of which deal with what’s been talked about on Country Universe in recent days.

Review: Whiskey Falls, “Last Train Running”

April 21, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 5

Whiskey Falls, “Last Train Running” Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes. This is what I’m talking about. I get a lot of backlash here when I beat up on a single by a new artist,