Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Country Editor, Marc Greilsamer FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt * New and Notable: Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines, Freakwater, Dixie Chicks, Jim Lauderdale and Ralph Stanley, and Hank III * Free Digital Downloads: John Prine * Fresh-Cut Grass: Phillips, Grier & Flinner, Ricky Skaggs, and Karl Shiflett * Restless Nights: A talk with Ray Wylie Hubbard * Down the Road Apiece: Advance Orders from Alan Jackson; Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen; and Blue Mountain WORD FOR WORD: EMMYLOU HARRIS AND LINDA RONSTADT ************************************************ "I've always said that listening is 99 percent of singing. It's a totally nonthinking process for me. I don't know what's a baritone or the tenor or what's this note or that. I kind of think of a harmony as just another melody. If I was a really good dancer I would imagine it would be similar--to be able to really move with somebody unconsciously." --Emmylou Harris "For me, it's the space I set between me and the melody. Kind of like where you're driving along with your car and you've got those curb sensors. I always have to stay that certain distance apart. I see music visually." --Linda Ronstadt Read more of Amazon.com's interview with Harris and Ronstadt at Country You can find "Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JZBQ/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Garth Brooks in the Life of Chris Gaines" Garth Brooks http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K29L/entertainmentsit Garth Brooks has sold about 100 million records, so Chris Gaines has an awful lot of ground to make up. King Garth assumes the role of an enigmatic alt-rocker and hopes that he will transform that fictional rock star into real sales figures. Brooks skirts through a variety of musical styles--none of them his beloved country--but perhaps his hat has always been too big for country anyway. "End Time" Freakwater http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JY2G/entertainmentsit Known for their hauntingly beautiful country melodies and their exquisite harmonies, Freakwater beef up their sound on "End Time," a stunning record that adds electric guitar, drums, and even a string section to the mix. By blending a range of traditional country styles with their always- stimulating lyrics about life's small tragedies, Freakwater craft a highly original and modern sound. "Fly" Dixie Chicks http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K29H/entertainmentsit The follow-up to "Wide Open Spaces" is an appealing record that nimbly balances traditional sounds and contemporary sparks in a way that may surprise even the most stubborn Chick cynics. Once you get past the glitz and glamour, you find the Texas trio has made some bold choices (lots of fiddle and pedal steel and even a murder song!), considering the climate of contemporary country radio. "I Feel Like Singing Today" Jim Lauderdale and Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K373/entertainmentsit Earlier this year, a younger country-rock songwriter (Steve Earle) joined forces with a revered bluegrass veteran (Del McCoury) to create an outstanding and refreshing record. Now Lauderdale and Stanley offer their own collaboration, one that pretty much equals the success of Earle and McCoury's "The Mountain" but for very different reasons. The album mixes Stanley favorites and Lauderdale originals, a few of which were cowritten with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. You can find "The Mountain" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I427/entertainmentsit "Risin' Outlaw" Hank III http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K3G0/entertainmentsit By blending the hardcore old-school honky-tonk of his grandfather with his father's contemporary country-rock rhythm and style (without the bombast), Shelton Hank Williams emerges as his own artist with "Risin' Outlaw," a record that may very well appeal to fans of both Senior and Junior. Hank III takes many cues (not to mention three songs) from Wayne "the Train" Hancock, one of the more respected Hank Sr. disciples of the 1990s. You can find Wayne Hancock's new record, "Wild, Free & Reckless," at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JNMS/entertainmentsit FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: JOHN PRINE ********************************** Country-folk veteran John Prine puts down his pen and returns to the music that originally inspired him with "In Spite of Ourselves," his new collection of boy-girl honky-tonk duets. Though Prine is no Lefty Frizzell in terms of his singing voice, the collection remains a charming and lighthearted listen. You can sample the record by downloading "Milwaukee Here I Come," a duet with Melba Montgomery, in its entirety absolutely free at: Country You can find "In Spite of Ourselves" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K3LI/entertainmentsit Julie Miller, Kris Kristofferson, Sherrie Austin, and Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt are just a few of the other artists whose songs are now available for your listening pleasure in our Free Downloads section at: Country FRESH-CUT GRASS *************** "Phillips, Grier & Flinner" Todd Phillips, David Grier, and Matt Flinner http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JWCO/entertainmentsit This genre-busting trio fuses Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz and manages to balance spontaneity, virtuosity, and taste. "Soldier of the Cross" Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K3MB/entertainmentsit Skaggs's new record is a work filled with passionate gospel that places the harmonies of Kentucky Thunder center stage. "The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show" The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JT4S/entertainmentsit These boys keep the sound and spirit of Flatt & Scruggs alive and fresh. RESTLESS NIGHTS: A TALK WITH RAY WYLIE HUBBARD ********************************************** Once a leader of Texas's 1970s progressive-country movement, Ray Wylie Hubbard vanished for most of the 1980s, only to emerge in the 1990s with a series of compelling and deeply personal records, culminating with 1999's riveting "Crusades of the Restless Knights." Amazon.com contributor Roy Kasten sits down with Hubbard and discusses the songwriter's embarrassing past, deepest fears, and toughest choices. Country You can find "Crusades of the Restless Knights" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JMK5/entertainmentsit ADVANCE ORDERS: DOWN THE ROAD APIECE ************************************ "Under the Influence" Alan Jackson http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001T3HC/entertainmentsit The neo-tonker leaves "Ford country" long enough to wax a new album. "Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen" Tony Rice, Larry Rice, Chris Hillman, and Herb Pedersen http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001T3IZ/entertainmentsit This quartet of bluegrass veterans returns with the musicians' second collaboration. "Tales of a Traveler" Blue Mountain http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001R3NA/entertainmentsit This premier Mississippi alt-country band offers its long-awaited third record. ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Country Music section at Country
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