Nashville Star 2005 Finalists

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal South
• ASIN: B0007TKHXY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,125 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Album Description

Seven Year Ache (Jenny Farrell) / Ring of Fire (Justin David) / Somebody Like You (Casey Simpson) / Long Black Train (Christy McDonald) / Break Down Here (Erika Jo Heriges) / Three Nickels and a Dime (Jody Evans) / You Don't Even Know Who I Am (Tamika Tyler) / Workin' Man Blues (Jason Meadows) / I'm Already There (Jayron Weaver) / Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way (Josh Owen) / Who Would You Be (George Canyon)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Mixed Galaxy of "Star(s)", June 25, 2005

By 

Timothy Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nashville Star 2005 Finalists (Audio CD)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nashville Star 2005 Finalists, December 29, 2006

By 

Tawnya Butler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nashville Star 2005 Finalists (Audio CD)

I received my order in a very short time and I enjoy every
song on the cd. I'm looking forward to ordering my next
Nashville Star 2006 Cd from you

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nashville Star - Season 3, April 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Nashville Star 2005 Finalists (Audio CD)

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.