Search - Various Artists :: Nashville Star 2005 Finalists

Nashville Star - Season 3

T. Yap | 04/28/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Almost everything on this CD is utterly predictable... mostly just crossover artists with nothing to fall back on but decent voices and good looks. However, there is one shining star on this album that earns it three stars all on its own.



If you want to hear the kind of music that SHOULD be played on country stations, look no further than track number six: "Three Nickels and a Dime" by Jody Evans. The man has talent, originality, and a great personality. If there's any justice in this world, he'll go far."

A Mixed Galaxy of "Star(s)"

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 06/25/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Seven Year Ache (Jenny Farrell), Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way (Josh Owen), Ring of Fire (Justin David)



Like its pop counterpart, American Idol, Nashville Star is the country version of the American nationwide song competition for wannabe country artists. In order to capitalized on the show's popularity, "Nashville Star: The 2005 Finalist" is the ensuing product: A collection of 10 evergreens assiduously covered by its top 10 finalists. Many a times this sounds like top notched karaoke. However, having a collection of back-to-back radio darlings spanning all the way from the Merle Haggard's 1969 no. 1 charter "Working Man Blues" to 2004 Julie Robert's top 40 smash "Break Down Here" can be quite a delight to listen to from beginning to end. Also, credit must also go to a few of these country hopefuls who do more than mimic these country greats and they have provided nuanced reads that are evocative and fetching. As an added bonus former Nashville Star winner George Canyon, who pays a visit with the inclusion of the only original tune here "Who You Wanna Be." Coupled with Canyon's animated delivery, this anthemtic ballad is only let down by its trite inspirational-faux lyrics.



Among those making more than a perfunctory impression is Jenny Farrell's "Seven Year Ache." This Rosanne Cash chart topper is given a state of the art production updating it from Cash's dated 80s urban cowboy feel. Also, Farrell's Lee Ann Womack-type vocals have given this popish uptempo a much needed rejuvenated and contemporary feel. Equally enticing is Josh Owen's take on Waylon Jennings' classic "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way." In Jenning's plebian spirit that has so engulfed this pensive midtempo, Owen's delivery has melded the right dose of sweaty glee making the late Jennings proud. A little more adventurous is Justin David: David has accelerated the pace of the languid original of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." Some may think this is scareligious, but such a read is gutsy and fits David's more vibrant delivery a little better. The least recognizable track has to be Jody Evans' "Three Nickels and a Dime," a spirited ode to wooing a new love. First cut by Aaron Baker and later Ricky Lynn Greggs, Evans' choice here is perhaps the most inviting and his first rate performance here is definitely of note.



Nashville Star winner Erika Jo may have won because of her ability to sustain high notes. And here her vocal prowess is on full display on the youngest cover, Julie Robert's "Break Down Here." Perhaps it's Jo's youthfulness she has not mined the delta dirt enough to tackle this break up tune with the same grit and blues as the original. The least inspirational cover here is Tamika Tyler's read of Patty Loveless' "You Don't Even Know Who I Am." It's not that Tyler's performance is ropey. Rather, she nuances her entire performance, including her breathing pauses, so closely to Loveless' that she comes across as a torpid copycat. Needless to say, in the tradition of the show where artists tend to sing their heads off trying to out sing each other, Jayron Weaver's "I'm Already There" is expected. However, like Tyler, Weaver's performance is soulless. Worst still, unlike Lonestar's original, Weaver seems to be straining himself to get to the higher notes of this romantic ballad. Another debacle is Christy MacDonald's cover of Josh Turner's gospel number "Long Black Train." MacDonald's high vocals certainly miss the train making her rendition extremely whiney.



With an album of mostly covers, comparisons are bound to be made. However, the onus on the artist is to feel the song, live it and sing it from his or her heart. Some of these artists have tried and are successful, while there are a few who have played the original too frequently that they become an alter ego of the original artists. Like most cover albums, there are some fine performances mixed together with a few duds, nevertheless, there are enough fine performances to warrant a purchase.

"

Nashville Star

Leigh | FL | 05/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like the songs but as the other reviewer said Jody Evans is a true star. I hope he does go far. He is a talented man :)"