The neat thing about having a staff of eight people is that we all have a varied taste when it comes to country music. Some of us may like our country a little more pop, while others like it very traditional, but we all love our country.
This week we are spotlighting eight different female country artists. I offered everyone their pick of whichever female they wanted to choose, and then let them choose an album to review of that female. Here are our choices.
Shel
Trisha Yearwood - "Songbook: A Collection of Hits"
Trisha has longtime been my favorite female, so when I had to pick a female country artist, she naturally came to mind. Although she's been away from music for the past few years, I'm glad to see her return once more. I know that greatest hits albums aren't the most exciting things to review, but this one was especially good because it was released at the time when she had her highest popularity. It contains the Oscar-nominated, and Grammy-winning song "How Will I Live," as well as Trisha's duet with Garth, "In Another Eyes."
Read Shel's review of Songbook: A Collection of Hits
Sue
Loretta Lynn - "All Time Greatest Hits"
I chose Loretta Lynn because of my father. Having grown up not very many miles from where she did, our family has always felt a closeness to her. Following her career we wished her all the success she so rightfully deserved. Watching the early scenes from "Coal Miner's Daughter" it's like watching the stories my father told of how poor they grew up. They experienced all of the hardships of raising a family in such a poverty stricken area as Loretta's family did. Closing my eyes, I can still remember the very distinct odor of the coal burner in the home of my Grandma, who we visited as often as possible in my younger years. I love to pull Loretta's music out and remember back to those sweet simplistic times in my life.
Read Sue's review of All Time Greatest Hits
Jolene
Dolly Parton - "Heartsounds"
I chose to review Dolly Parton's 'Heartsongs' album because it is my favorite Dolly Parton album. In it, she returns to the roots of her music heritage. She brings her live concert to millions of people, many of whom have not been lucky enough to catch her in person. It is an album that chooses some of the songs that started her career, a few songs with a Celtic flavor that she throws in her show because that is the kind of music she loves and a whole bunch of her natural humor.
Read Jolene's review of Heartsounds
Jack
Juice Newton - "Anthology"
I like this CD much more than the earlier greatest hits package because it gives you a better retrospective of how she was able to be such a cross over success in the early 1980's, and continue that success on the country charts.
Read Jack's review of Anthology
Jenn
Patty Loveless - "Long Stretch of Lonesome"
After hearing different songs that span Patty Loveless' 20-year career, I've come to the conclusion that are two words that sum up her music - innovative and consistant. That is why I chose her for the Women of Country feature. When an artist has been around for, say, ten years or more they have a tendency to release music that is bland or stale - not Patty. She's not afraid to do something "different" when she wants and so far it has payed off for her.
Read Jenn's review of Long Stretch of Lonesome