Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Country Music (Columbia)

Country music's conscience grows in musical depth and breadth. "Farmer's Blues" with Merle Haggard is an instant classic. The Superlatives are the best little band working anywhere.

Various Artists, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers (Universal South)

The sweetest harmony singing this side of heaven from the likes of Alison Krauss, Dierks Bentley, Sonya Isaacs, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell, Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent.

--Chet Flippo

Various Artists, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers (Universal South)

For those who are suckers for country harmonies, don't pass on this one. From Joe Nichols to Johnny Cash, this one's for the traditionalists, and it's darn near perfect.

-- Craig Shelburne

Various Artists, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers (Universal South)
Although they sang like angels, Ira and Charlie Louvin were more bedeviled than most of us. But adversity never spawned a sweeter sound. Kudos to producer Carl Jackson for leading us back to these masters. Picks: "Must You Throw Dirt in My Face" (Merle Haggard, Carl Jackson), "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" (Harley Allen, Dierks Bentley), "You're Running Wild" (Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley).

-- Ed Morris

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Country Music (Columbia)

Stuart didn't violate any "truth-in-labeling" laws when he named his album, Country Music. With his band, the Fabulous Superlatives, Stuart keeps it country -- even with a Hammond B-3 organ in the background.

Various Artists, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers (Universal South)

With a rich background in traditional music, Carl Jackson was the perfect producer to oversee this tribute to one of country music's most important vocal duos. Of course, it's hard to go wrong when you've assembled great songs to be performed by a cast including James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and Linda Ronstadt. And that's just a partial list of the participants.

-- Calvin Gilbert