Country Universe

Billy Joe Shaver featuring Marty Stuart, “Winning Again”

October 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Ever wonder what the Benny Hill music might sound like if it was twanged up from here to hog heaven? I do believe it would resemble the relentlessly addictive hillbilly jam that backs “Winning Again,”

Suzy Bogguss, Sweet Danger

October 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

Suzy Bogguss Sweet Danger Four years after exploring Western swing on the appropriately titled Swing, Suzy Bogguss delves into contemporary jazz on her latest independent release, Sweet Danger, and once again, the title fits. While

Faith Hill, The Hits

October 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Faith Hill The Hits As I’ve made the case before, a good compilation must have a strong focus and concept about what it is trying to accomplish. Is it trying to be a definitive collection

Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town

October 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Town The time has come for Ronnie Dunn to step aside. Not from Brooks & Dunn, mind you, but as the default lead singer of the duo. For the past sixteen

Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 9

Kenny Chesney Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates What’s the difference between a signature style and an artistic rut? It’s a question that’s hard to avoid contemplating when listening to Kenny Chesney’s latest record,

Reba McEntire, Reba Duets

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Reba McEntire Reba Duets Fans of Reba McEntire who have been following her for the past two decades or so know that two things are true. One, she’s an effortlessly outstanding vocalist, who stands

Kim Richey, Chinese Boxes

October 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Kim Richey Chinese Boxes It’s been five years since Rise, Richey’s final major label studio album. That alone would make it notable, as this is the longest Richey has gone between projects. Throw

Say What? – Dolly Parton

October 3, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 3

Dolly Parton on starting her own label: I put it on my own label because many of the majors really didn’t want me because of my age, thinking I was over. But I feel different

Vince Gill, “How Lonely Looks”

September 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Good Lord, this man is good. This year’s Hall of Fame inductee turns in his third straight stellar single from his four-disc opus These Days, and he’s never delved this deeply into the Eagles realm

Patty Griffin, “No Bad News”

September 29, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

So who the hell is Patty Griffin, anyway? If you’re asking that question, I highly recommend clicking through and hearing one of Americana’s most consistently interesting and incisive songwriters. Here, she emphatically rejects fear and