Trisha Yearwood - Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love
Big Machine Records

Trisha Yearwood is without a doubt one of the all-time greats in country music. Since her debut album in 1991, Yearwood has been consistent in delivering some of the best country songs in modern history. Walkaway Joe (with Don Henley) (1992), Thinkin' About You (1995), How Do I Live (1997) and In Another's Eyes (with husband Garth Brooks) (1997) are just a few of the biggest hits that has made Trisha Yearwood into one of the brightest stars in country music today.

Trisha's albums have always been deeply rooted in the country genre, although always with a song or two crossing over to the pop genre. The same holds true for her newest album, Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love. Brilliantly produced by veteran Garth Fundis, we are once again treated to a five star album.

The title track, Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love (168 bpm), is a good two stepper, and an immediate showcase of Trisha's powerful voice.

This Is Me You're Talking To (71 bpm), is a sad love song, co-written by Karyn Rochelle, who also co-wrote several of the album's other songs. The dance rhythm is nightclub.

The latest single release, They Call It Falling For A Reason' (128 bpm), was co-written by the very talented Matraca Berg, and has 'hit song' written all over it. It’s an up tempo east coast swing, and the lyrics are both fun and clever.

Nothin' Bout Memphis (66 bpm) tells a great story, and if you're an Elvis fan, you'll love the subtle hints both in the lyrics and on the instrumental side. A great song for a nightclub dance.

We Tried (180 bpm) is another two stepper with a great musical arrangement.

The stand out song of the album is definitively the track Let The Wind Chase You (60 bpm). The ever brilliant Keith Urban sings along on this one, only adding even more depth and perspective to this already beautiful song.

Another Matraca Berg song is The Dreaming Fields (95 bpm), which she wrote about her grandparents losing their farm in the early 40's.

As Trisha herself explains it, Cowboys Are My Weakness (124 bpm) is just a laid back and fun country song that might as well be about her husband Garth Brooks. The following track Help Me (73 bpm) is a more traditional country ballad. Both are solid country songs that fits well with the rest of the album

Picking things up again is another two stepper, Not A Bad Thing (85 bpm). This is a great song with a good story, and will have you tapping your feet all the way through. Another possible hit song.

A bit on the rockin' side, Nothin' About You Is Good For Me (90 bpm), adds a new layer to the album. Drown Me (149 bpm) is another rockin' track, good for some east coast swing.

Closing out the album is the beautiful and emotional ballad Sing You Back To Me (64 bpm). With only Trisha's wonderful voice and a guitar, this track demands your attention right from the start.

For line dancers and choreographers, there might only be a handful of tracks that are usable, but I'd love to be proven wrong. But, as stated earlier, musically this is definitively a five star album. Trisha is such a brilliant artist. This is an album that you will want to listen to again and again.

Listen ***** Dance *** (September 10, 2008)

Kellie Pickler - Small Town Girl
Sony BMG

The album Small Town Girl by the 2006 American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler is indeed a strong debut. Without a doubt, many fans of country music were enjoying her interpretations of modern country and pop classics throughout the hit TV show, and it should come as no surprise, that this album is very much in tune with the contemporary country music style that many dancers enjoy so much. Kellie Pickler does stand out, but you can easily hear that her influences must come from such artist as Faith Hill and Lee Ann Womack – and that's a good thing!

For line dancers, the first song you have to take notice of is the beautiful waltz Wild Ponies (116 bpm), to which Ami Walker has choreographed an intermediate dance that comes highly recommended.

The opening track of the album is also the first single, Red High Heels (116 bpm), an up-tempo song, to which there is also a few dances already out.

Gotta Keep Moving (140 bpm) is a good east coast swing that could easily have a dance made to it.

Up next is Thing's That Never Cross A Man’s Mind (120 bpm) a cool west coast swing with some funny lyrics that the couples dancers will enjoy, and it's just begging for line dance choreography.

Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You (80 bpm) is a nightclub rhythm love song that showcases Kellie's ability to sing powerful ballads.

Another ballad is the very beautiful song entitled I Wonder (64 bpm). The song is written by Kellie herself, and is dedicated to her mother. This is also in nightclub rhythm. Her performance of this song at last year's CMA Awards show was very emotional, and just goes to proof that Kellie Pickler is the real deal. Another very similar song, is the closing track, My Angel (72 bpm), again written by Kellie herself, this time for her grandmother. Powerful stuff.

The title track, Small Town Girl (128 bpm) is all about Kellie herself, and if you followed her on American Idol, you know this song is right on the money. The same probably goes for Girls Like Me (120 bpm) and One Of The Guys (136 bpm). All three songs are very suitable for the dance floor.

I'm On My Way (96 bpm) is a nice country cha cha. It's perfectly phrased for a 32 count dance. I just love this song.

Looking at the album as a whole, there is a nice balance of slow ballads and up-tempo feel-good country songs, and the fact that Kellie wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs, gives the album a very authentic feel to it. I'm already looking forward to Kellie Pickler's next album.

Listen **** Dance **** (April 10, 2008)

Alan Jackson - Good Time
Arista Nashville - Sony/BMG

Believe or not, but this is the 17th album from Alan Jackson. His previous two albums have been inspired by the sounds of gospel and the more soulful side of country music, but this time, Jackson has gone back to the traditional honky tonk style for which we have come to know him best. Good Time debuted at no. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, and with good reason. It is yet another superb album with a good balance of up tempo fun loving songs and profoundly deep country ballads. The album is brilliantly produced by Keith Stegall, and all 17 songs are written by Jackson himself.

The title track Good Time is a cool east coast swing all about having a good time, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Small Town Southern Man is a good example of Jackson's song writing talent, and tells the story of the common hard working man, his family and living right.

I Wish I Could Back Up is a beautiful love song in nightclub rhythm. This one is just waiting for the right choreography.

There are two beautiful waltzes on this album. Right Where I Want You and When The Love Factor's High. Both could be hits on the dance floor, especially the latter.

1976 is a country cha cha, and the song is about the memories of that great year (hey, I celebrated my one year birthday that year!).

Long Long Way is a bluegrass style polka, and Country Boy is an east coast swing with a real laid-back attitude. Never Loved Before is another up beat east coast. On this track, Jackson is joined by another country superstar, Martina McBride. Dances are already coming out for this one, and should be one to look out for on the dance floor.

Sissy's Song was written for a friend of Jackson's who passed away too early. It is a powerful ballad in rumba rhythm.

A nice two step with a touch of the bluegrass sound is Listen To Your Senses.

For Laid Back 'N Low Key (Cay) both Maggie Gallagher and the duo of Peter Metelnick & Alison Biggs have already released some great dances. This is a nice cha cha that makes you think about relaxing on the beach (and who wouldn't like that?).

I Still Like Bologna, Nothing Left To Do and This Time are just more great songs on this album - maybe not good for dancing, but good for the ears.

The final tracks, If You Want To Make Me Happy, a slow tempo cha cha, and If Jesus Walked The World Today, a gospel style east coast swing, round out this great collection of yet another five star album from Alan Jackson.

If you love country music, or if you just love music, you want to own this album.

Listen ***** Dance **** (March 26, 2008)

Billy Ray Cyrus - Home At Last
Walt Disney Records

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus made line dancing popular with the hit song Achy Breaky Heart. Several albums have since followed with some great country songs. Lately, however, Billy Ray's music has more of a rock and pop feel to it. His latest album, Home At Last, stays with the more contemporary style.

The stand out song of the album is definitely Flying By, which has a nice cha cha rhythm. But this one is all about the lyrics. It'll probably never get the recognition it deserves, but it's a "song of the year" candidate in my book. Have a listen!

Billy Ray also brings us his version of some timeless classics. First up is Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl, an up tempo east coast swing to which there are several dances. Put A Little Love In Your Heart is another cha cha to which you can also find many dances.

The masterpiece Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Carole King's You've Got A Friend are both sung brilliantly by Cyrus. Any doubters of his talent should just listen to these songs.

The opening and closing tracks Ready, Set, Don't Go and Stand have a nice touch of the rock and country sound that made Cyrus famous. So does The Buffalo, a cha cha rhythm rock song.

The Beginning, a fast nightclub, Don't Give Up On Me, You Can't Lose Me, I Can't Live Without Your Love and My Everything brings this album to a total of 13 solid tracks. Although many will prefer the country side of Billy Ray Cyrus, this is a really good album, but only a small handful of songs will appeal to the dancers.

Listen **** Dance ** (March 26, 2008)

The Mavericks - From Hell To Paradise
MCA

We're back to 1992 to find this classic album. Even though The Mavericks are probably best known for their later hit songs like Dance The Night Away, Pizziricco and What A Crying Shame, their second album entitled From Hell To Paradise might be their best collection of songs. This is truly a modern classic.

Driven by the unique voice of Raul Malo, who has written most of the songs, The Mavericks bring together the sound of traditional and contemporary country music, mixes it up with a special touch of Cuban/Miami rock and roll, and takes it all to a higher level.

The powerful Mr. Jones, a country two step, opens the album, and lets us know what's in store for the next 36 minutes. Following is another up tempo song, The End Of The Line.

The Mavericks also covers the classic songs Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got A Heartache) written by Buck Owens & Harlan Howard, and Hey Good Lookin' by Hank Williams. These songs add yet another layer to this almost perfect collection.

This Broken Heart is a slow ballad, but things are soon back up to speed with I Got You. The title track From Hell To Paradise is a stand out song, and unfortunately the only one of the songs from this album to make it onto their Best Of collection released in 1999.

A Better Way and Forever Blue, the latter a two step, are also some pretty good songs, but the closing track Children, to which Jo Thompson Szymanski choreographed the classic dance Midnight Waltz, is maybe the most brilliant song of them all.

When released, the album received good reviews, but it was never a commercial success. Looking back on the album now, it is clear that it is one of those albums that defined country music in the early 90's with it’s unique style – and evidently, The Mavericks moved on to great success.

Listen ***** Dance ** (March 26, 2008)