Teaser: Interested in Country music? Specifically country music from around 1999-2003? Well the CMT Most Wanted, Volume 1 CD contains seventeen (17) different country songs from fifteen (15) different singers/groups. I had heard of a majority of these groups, but only owned, or listened to, a very small selection of of these artists. I found some surprisingly good singers/groups to add to my "search for" list, and I hope that others find something new on this cd.
Title: CMT Most Wanted Volume 1
Date: 2003
Genre: Country (with pop/rock mixed in)
The compilation contains 15 country songs and an additional two songs in the form of music videos (actually different songs than on the plain audio section of the CD).
1. Artist: Mark Willis; Song: 19 Somethin’ From the Album: Greatest Hits (2002); Song Writers: Chris Dubois & Mark Willis; Review: “Saw Star Wars at least 8 times, had the Pac Man pattern memorized . . . I wouldn’t trade those days for nothing” – Remembering the past, when he was a kid in 197-something, then brings it up to 198-something. Upbeat. Good song. Good strong voice. Vaguely heard of him, but do not own anything by him. Interested in looking for one of his albums. Willis, from Blue Ridge, GA, had his first album release in 1996. Won a country music contest at age 17 and played in a club for five straight years. Currently has five albums out, with a sixth one out in 2005 titled “Live at Billy Bob’s” (this doesn’t include 3 compilation albums). Highest on Country Billboard: 3 (with “Permanently”). Highest on Billboard 200: 23 (also with “Permanently”). Run Time: 3:17. Rating: 4.38.
2. Artist: Jennifer Hanson; Song: Beautiful Goodbye; From: Jennifer Hanson (2002), her first album; Song Writers: Hanson, Patton & Johnson; Review: "Like the most amazing sunset you've ever seen . . . Beautiful Goodbye . . . We really had us a time . . .standing here watching you drive away" - An oddly upbeat song about breaking up. Great opening. Never heard of her before, and I am quite surprised, quite good singer (distinctive voice). The song is a little repetitive though. Ends weakly. Born in 1974 La Habra CA. Has only the one album so far (interested in tracking it down). Debut album: 125 on Billboard 200 and 20 on Top Country Albums. Run Time: 3:25 Rating: 4.32.
3. Artist: Joe Nichols; Song: BrokenHeartsville; From: Man With a Memory (2002) his 2nd album; Song Writers: Boudreaux, Daniels, Kees & Mevis; Review: “He wore the cowboy hat to cover up his horns” - I own the album this song is on, so . . . I’ve liked this song in the past, but there is a part of the song that really drives one particular listener up the wall (something around the part of the song where “not against her will” is sung (the chorus, I believe)). Deep strong voice. Somewhat humorous song about a woman running off with another man. Own two albums by him, and thought I owned everything by him but there are apparently four more albums by him out there (not sure I’ll track those down). From Rogers, AR. Highest on Country billboard: 3 (“Revelation”). Highest on Billboard 200: 23. Run Time: 3:49 Rating: 4.28.
4. Artist: Jo Dee Messina; Song: Burn; From: Burn (2000), her 3rd album; Song Writers: Tina Arena, Pam Reswick & Steve Werfel; Review: “Do you want to be a poet and write . . . I want you to burn for me” – Um, about a woman that wants someone to burn for her. Starts softly. Heard of her, seen videos, never owned anything by her. Good strong voice. Interesting, song begins to grow on me, though it is something of a fluff song. Song is about 1 minute too long. Not really interested in exploring her music further, at the moment. From Framingham, MA and born August 25, 1970. Currently she has five albums out (including one just released, I believe). Run Time: 4:30 Rating: 4.25.
5. Artist: Dwight Yoakam; Song: The Back of Your Hand; From: Population: Me (2003), his 15th album; Song Writers: Lee; Review: “When you give it up for God . . .” – Country/Religious song. I’ve heard of him, but never really listened to any of his songs. Good country sounding voice. Good music, not particularly my type of music though. Not interested in getting his albums (though might try a greatest hits cd; he has a rather large number of them). From Pikeville, KY and born October 23, 1956. 16 albums from 1986-2005 (“Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” through “Blame the Vain”). Three number 1 albums on the country charts (“Guitars, Cadillacs. . .”, “Hillbilly Deluxe”, “Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room”). Highest Billboard 200: 25 (“This Time”). Run Time: 3:05; Rating: 4.23.
6. Artist: Chris Cagle; Song: What A Beautiful Day; From: Chris Cagle (2003) his 2nd album; Song Writers: Cagle & Powell; Review: “Day one, I stumbled through hello on fifth avenue . . .” – About growing in love. Interesting, starts off sounding like a Vanessa Carlton song. Rather good song. Not as deep voice as a Toby Keith or Joe Nichols. I believe I might already have all his albums (all 2 of them), so this song would not lead me to rush out to buy more (though I believe it was the first song of his I heard). Highest Billboard 200: 15 (“Chris Cagle”). Highest Country billboard (“Top Country Albums” chart): 1 (“Chris Cagle). Run Time: 3:40; Rating: 4.36.
7. Artist: Cross Canadian Ragweed; Song: 17; From: Cross Canadian Ragweed (AKA: The Purple Album; 2002), their fifth album; Song Writers: Cody Canada; Review: “sirens wail and a flashing light nothing better to do on a Tuesday night . . . Running from it all” – A song about being 17. This group is one that I’ve really never heard of, though they seem to be very good. Quite interested in pursuing more of their music. Has a more rock feel to it, than country. Formed 1994 in Stillwater OK. Band name comes from member names (guitarist Cross, lead singer (and guitarist) Canada, and drummer Ragsdale; not sure how bassist Plato fits in). This alt-country band has seven albums out there (2001-2004; 2 released in 2001, 3 in 2002, and 2 in 2004). Highest on Country chart: 5 (“Soul Gravy”). Highest on Billboard 200: 51 (“Soul Gravy”). Run Time: 5:18; Rating: 4.35.
8. Artist: Rhonda Vincent; Song: You Can’t Take It With You When You Go; From: One Step Ahead (2003), her 9th album; Song Writers: Knight & Wright; Review: “Watch where you are standing when you close that door . . .” – slow sound, soft instruments, about a man about to leave and a woman asking him to think about it. I think I’ve heard of her. She has a voice somewhat similar to Alison Krauss’s. Good lyrics, good music, not my type of song. Not likely to explore further (though better on repeated hearings). This Kirksville Missouri born singer was born in July 1962. She currently has 10 albums out there for consumption (1990-2005). Never on the Billboard 200, and her highest ranked album reached #30 on the Top Country Albums chart (“One Step Ahead”). Run Time: 3:30; Rating: 4.17.
9. Artist: Trace Adkins; Song: Chrome; From: Chrome (2001), his fourth album; Song Writers: Smith & Steele; Review: “Her favorite color is Chrome” – good upbeat song. Don’t own all his albums, but I own this one and really like him. Good deep, strong voice. Sarepta Louisiana native Adkins was born on January 13, 1962. He currently has six albums out there (not counting greatest hits and the like). His albums have reached a height of #9 on the Billboard 200 (“Greatest Hits”), and #1 on the Top Country Albums chart (“Greatest Hits” and “Songs about Me”). Run Time: 3:22; Rating: 4.35.
10. Artist: Montgomery Gentry; Song: Cold One Comin’ On; From: Carrying On (2001), their 2nd album; Song Writers: Geiger, Mullis & Huffman; Review: “Weather man says it might hit 95, September is going to feel more like July, he's calling for a night that's warm and mild, but I think he missed it by a mile, he just don't know that you are gone, I feel a cold one coming on” – man getting over a recent break-up. Really good duo, though sometimes I think they might sound better separately. Heavy use of guitars. Long instrumental breaks (adds at least a minute to the song). Waiting for their next, sixth album. Highest on the Top Country Albums chart: 2nd (“You Do Your Thing”). Highest on Billboard 200: 10th (“You Do Your Thing”). Run Time: 5:03. Rating: 4.40.
11. Artist: Alison Krauss; Song: Maybe; From: Forget About It (1999), her 8th album; Song Writers: Kennedy & Madeira; Review: “Lying above the rest….” – I don’t know what the song is about. Soft song. Something about the voice is irritating, maybe because it is mostly good, and then she reach, and it becomes fingers on chalkboard time. Rather good instrument work.. Might borrow one of her albums . . . From Champaign Illinois (home of the University of Illinois), Krauss was born on July 23, 1971 and has released 11 albums (1985-2004). Highest on the Top Country Albums chart: 2nd (“Now that I’ve Found You: A Collection”). Highest on Billboard 200: 13 (“Now that I’ve Found You: A Collection”). Run Time: 3:41; Rating: 4.22.
12. Artist: Dierks Bentley; Song: What Was I Thinkin’ From: Dierks Bently (2003); Song Writers: Ruttan, Beavers & Bentley; Review: “Becky was a beauty from south Alabama . . . What was I thinking . . . thinking about a little white tank top sitting right there next to me . . .” – man picks up woman drives away, dad runs out with a shotgun and unloads it at them as they drive away. Strong song. Great voice. I own this Phoenix Arizona native’s first album, looking to purchase his next (“Modern Day Drifter” – 2005). Reached number 4 on the Top Country chart, and number 26 on the Billboard 200 chart for his first album. Run Time: 3:44; Rating: 4.48.
13. Artist: LeAnn Rimes; Song: I Need You; From: I Need You (2000); Song Writers: Matkosky & Lacy; Review: “da da da . . . I don’t need a lot of things, I can get by with nothing . ..” – just like the title notes, the song is about a woman that all that she needs is you. The thirteen year-old “next Patsy Cline” has all grown up now (she’s 23 in two months). Good singer, but heavy feeling song, over-pressured by instruments. I own greatest hits and most recent release (mentioning things like this to let you know if previously biased for or against a singer). Has released nine albums (not counting greatest hits and other compilations). Reached number one on the Top Country Albums chart with her first and second releases, and has added two more number one Top Country Albums. Her first album reached number 3 on the Billboard 200, and the second album reached number one (she has had one more number one album for the Billboard 200). Run Time: 3:45; Rating: 4.14.
14. Artist: Keith Urban; Song: Raining on Sunday; From: Golden Road (2002); Song Writers: Brown & Foster; Review: “It ticks just like a Timex, it never lets up on you . . .” - Nice instrument work.(somewhat the best part of the song; mix of country and rock). Good voice, not particularly deep. Not sure I’ll pursue the New Zealander’s work. He was born October 26, 1967. Six albums released. Heights: number one on Top Country Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200 chart (both for the “Be Here” album). Run Time: 3:41; Rating: 4.24.
15. Artist: Rascal Flatts; Song: I’m Movin’ On; From: Rascal Flatts (2000); Song Writers: White & Williams; Review: “I’ve been trapped in the past too long . . I’m moving on” – um, a guy moving on. Nice opening instruments (then, gee, is that a man or a woman singing . . .). Own one album by this group, not bad, not going rush out for more of their work. Cousins Gary Levox and Jay DeMarcus, of Columbus Ohio, and non-relative Joe Don Rooney of Picher Oklahoma form the band that has currently released three albums. The most recent two albums have reached number one ranking on the Top Country Albums chart, and the most recent album has reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Run Time: 3:48; Rating: 4.18.
Overall Run Time: roughly 51 minutes
Songs: Overall, I ended up with an average of 4.29 stars.
Videos: Unfortunately, I could not get the videos to work.
CD Packaging: Contains name of song, which album the song is pulled from, the name of the songwriters, and the copyright date. No lyrics are provided.
Overall: Not a bad song in the bunch, though I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to some of the singers/groups. I like many different styles, and these songs are different enough that it is somewhat enjoyable to listen to as a regular selection in the play cycle (single artist album sometimes suffer because they just have the one artist, and while each song might or might not be good on its own, placed together they can become rather repetitive). So, I’d rate the CD/album/compilation 4.29 stars.
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