Jones proves himself as one of most expressive vocalists Nashville has ever known. The topics here are certainly timeless - cheating, drinking, dying, lying and (occasionally) loving. Instead, it’s sort of like discovering a stash of sterling demo tapes. George Jones, The Great Lost Hits (reissue)īecause of the sparse production, these Musicor recordings from the late ’60s and early ’70s don’t feel dated. Key tracks: “I Could Get Used to This Lovin’ Thing,” “Taillights Blue” I also dig the stone-country duet with Lee Ann Womack on “Till the End.” If you’ve been missing traditional country music, you’ll want to get on board. Of course, he’s still the master of mid-tempo tunes about his family. The aggressive title track chugs along with a breakneck tempo that’s about twice as fast as what Jackson usually offers, but like his 21-year-career, he keeps up just fine. Key tracks: “If You Want To,” “Just Another Guy” It’s a common theme - figuring it all out - so the album title fits perfectly. He leads the album by offering straight-shooter advice on how to let yourself be loved. He doesn’t use a dozen words to convey what just a handful can say, and his steady, emotive vocals give the songs extra weight. In a city filled with young musicians, this Nashville-based songwriter continues to stand out. Whether the songs are sung in English or Spanish, they still speak to me. ![]() The band’s leader, Jairo Zavila, grew up in Madrid listening to music from all over the world, yet this diverse album offers a seamless listening experience. With the seductive Spanish guitar woven throughout the album, this indie-folk band brings an exotic, enchanting approach to acoustic music. Key tracks: “Prayer Bells of Heaven,” “The Little White Church” The praise-singing is marvelous, and with Ron Stewart on fiddle and Cia Cherryholmes and Sonya Isaacs on high harmony, I just want to shout “Amen!” I believe Martin’s on the sunny side of the mountain, smiling down. If you love Jesus and Jimmy Martin, track down this bluegrass gospel album that unites three bluegrass stalwarts for a harmonious tribute to their late boss. Crowe, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams, Old Friends Get Together Key tracks: “Coming On Strong,” “Deliver Me” Heavy on honky-tonk harmony, nearly all of the songs are inspired by classic country. As an Americana fan, it reminds me of the Jayhawks and Blue Rodeo, while country listeners might draw comparisons to the Everly Brothers and Dwight Yoakam. This alt-country gem arrived in the band’s native Canada in 1993 but was never released in the U.S. The Blue Shadows, On the Floor of Heaven (reissue) ![]() No matter the categorization, I’d recommend them to country fans eager to discover something new, with a few suggested key tracks as guidance. Instead, they’re projects that I’ve kept nearby because their distinctive sounds caught my attention, whether it’s country, bluegrass, roots rock or even Spanish guitar music. These aren’t necessarily the “best” or the “top” albums of year. As the year draws to a close, I’ve gathered 10 of my personal favorite albums of 2010.
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