If there ever was a gimme recipe for a 5 star album, CMT and RCA/BMG found it. Take 4 of the hottest female stars today, put them on CMT in a special (which aired March 2nd - did anyone tape it?), then release an album of a dozen dandy songs, 3 from each super lady. It was almost a gimme this album would rate 5 stars.

For the record here's what every dynamite singer here contributes. The glorious newcomer Sara Evans, still riding high on her first mega hit of "No Place That Far" (reviewed by yours truly in January, 1999 issue of AMZ) contributes a great cut from her latest album, "Cryin' Game," the haunting "Almost New," and the phenomenally harmonized purity of "Three Chords And The Truth."

The unbelievable voice of Martina McBride contributes her legendary breakthrough, "Independence Day," her recent smash "Happy Girl," and a cover of Tammy Wynette's "Til I Can Make It On My Own." (This last number, because it makes me miss poor Ms. Wynette, and because the song strikes too many million nerves at the present. It couldn't be listened too all the way, lest the reviewer's present good mood dissipate in a wash of falling apart. However I assure you her take of this song is stunning, despite my only being able to listen to 1/2 of it right now.) The talented and hitmaking newcomer Mindy Mcready contributes her debut smash, "10,000 Angels," a haunting, poppy and wonderful song that recalls early '70s Olivia Newton-John, "Over And Over," and a beautiful cover of Linda Ronstadt's legendary early song, "Long, Long Time." Mindy's borderline-acoustic take on this song is lovely, but I personally miss all the mushy beautiful strings from the original.

Finally, Grand Old Opry Royalty, Ms. Morgan, contributes two of her recent smashes "Go Away" and "Good As I Was To You," (So offended by the press for this WOMEN's song indeed. How come MEN can't fantasize of going up to their ex-women, who have new stupid men in their lives and singing such sentiments? Yours truly sure as hell does.) plus also adds a stunningly worded new song "The Heart That Jack Broke." "I can go on living in the house that jack built/ But will I ever love again with the heart that Jack broke. . ."

With all that's wrong with popular country music these days, this glorious hodgepodge is a quintessential example of what's right!! So, everyone run out and buy it ASAP!! (And if you taped the special that I missed, email me here at AMZ please!)