Newhouse News
Service
BYLINE: By KEVIN O'HARE; Kevin O'Hare
is music writer for The Republican of Springfield, Mass.
Trisha Yearwood, "Jasper County," (MCA) THREE STARS
She is country music's most consistent singer by far. Yet it's been four years
since Trisha Yearwood's last album, and it was worth wondering whether she'd
still have everything going for her when she got back into the studio.
She apparently had a few misgivings of her own along the way, and scrapped an
entire album she was working on in 2003. Emerging two years later with "Jasper
Country," the multi-platinum superstar sounds strong as ever.
There are tales of anger, like the fiddle-fired "Who Invented the Wheel," and
songs of sweet nostalgia, like the breakout single "Georgia Rain." There's a
juke-joint jumping rocker called "Pistol" and a gritty song of anticipation,
"Sweet Love." In between is everything from bayou flavors ("River of You") to a
sturdy, steel-splashed ballad, "Try Me," which features harmonies by Ronnie
Dunn.
It's pure, it's straight-ahead, and while it might not often knock your socks
off, it is a strong return to form from one of country's classiest women.