I love a good song. And this disc is filled with not only good songs, but award-winning songs recorded by some of Country music's biggest stars. Plus, the kicker is, it's not the original performer, so you get to hear someone else's take on a huge Country hit. Great concept, and it totally works, with talent like Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Willie Nelson, Jack Ingram, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Blake Shelton and many more.
Song of the Year Review:
How can you go wrong when you take 12 award-winning songs, and pair them up with artists that weren't the original performers? I love it! Some of the songs are recorded by two performers, and some by solo artists.I'll start at the beginning with "Dang Me," the 1964 Grammy Country Song of the Year for Roger Miller. Add Willie Nelson and Jack Ingram, and you got a Texas-style version that is a classic in itself. It's fun!
"Strawberry Wine" was the CMA Song of the Year in 1997, and The Wreckers version is fairly true to the original. These girls have great harmonies that really work on this tune.
Trace Adkins just kills on "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" which was CMA Song of the Year in 1970 for the Man in Black. He's a perfect choice for this with his deep baritone. This is my favorite track on the album.
John Denver's "Back Home Again" won the Song of the Year in 1975, and Trisha Yearwood wraps her voice around this with backing vocals from Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander. These three are a great match.
Vince Gill's "When I Call Your Name" was the CMA Song of the Year in 1991, and Jo Dee Messina puts her feminine stamp on this track.
Lonestar does a great job with "City of New Orleans" which won the Grammy for Country Song of the Year in 1984 for Steve Goodman.
Matching Randy Travis with Vern Gosdin's "Chisled in Stone," which was CMA Song of the Year in 1989 was a stroke of genius. It's a perfect match for his voice.
"I Still Believe In You" was a triple award-winning song, winning CMA Song of the Year in 1993 and Grammy and ACM Song of the Year in 1992. It's performed here by Jamie O'Neal and Michael McDonald. Another great pairing of song and vocalists.
When Blake Shelton first started singing "The Gambler" I thought it was Kenny Rogers himself. He does a fantastic job on this. Another of my favorites. The song won Grammy Country Song in 1978, and CMA Song of the Year in 1979.
The final song is another Vince Gill tune performed by Deana Carter & Heart. "Go Rest High on That Mountain" won CMA Song of the Year in 1996 and Grammy Country Song of the Year in 1995. This is probably my least favorite tune, only because I think the track needed a male voice in there somewhere. Not that it's a bad track. Just my least favorite from the album.
Song of the Year Track List:
- Dang Me - Willie Nelson & Jack Ingram
- Strawberry Wine - The Wreckers
- Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down - Trace Adkins
- Back Home Again - Trisha Yearwood
- Murder On Music Row - Dierks Bentley & George Jones
- When I Call Your Name - Jo Dee Messina
- City of New Orleans - Lonestar
- Chiseled In Stone - Randy Travis
- Stranger In My House - Jypsi
- I Still Believe In You - Jamie O'Neal & Michael McDonald
- The Gambler - Blake Shelton
- Go Rest High On That Mountain - Deana Carter & Heart
