New Music From New West

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: RED Distribution

Notes: Ensemble: The Drams. Since opening for business in 1997, New West Records has become one of America's best respected roots music labels, and anyone wanting to know why can get a solid indication with this label sampler, which features 20 tracks from the label's current (in 2005) roster. You get one bona fide country superstar (Dwight Yoakam), a handful of Lone Star legends (Billy Joe Shaver, the Flatlanders, and Delbert McClinton), some cult hero songwriters (John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, and Vic Chesnutt), alt-country champions in both heavy (Drive-By Truckers) and medium (Old 97's) gauge, some top-flight smart pop (Ben Lee, Tim Easton, and Nic Armstrong), and even one of the greatest names of '70s rock (Alice Cooper). As you might expect, pretty everyone on board is represented with a track that finds them in good form (yes, even Alice -- his cover of the Left Banke's "Pretty Ballerina" is quite enjoyable), and Tim Easton and Ben Lee fans even get extra unreleased tracks with this set. And those who loved the late, lamented Slobberbone will want to check out the first released tune from Brent Best's new band, the Drams, which has been included on this disc. And you can pick it up at most places for about five bucks -- this is good listening at a great price, so it's worth adding to your stack next time you're shopping. ~ Mark Deming

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