Various Artists - The Imus Ranch Record (2008)

This album has been in the works for quite some time, having been put on hold when Imus made his notorious remarks about a certain women’s basketball team in 2007. Yet when each participating artist was polled, they all chose to remain involved with Imus and his charity.

The album features these stars singing classics both country and pop. Patty Loveless kicks it off with a breathtaking bluegrassy version of Stevie Nicks’ “Silver Springs”, while Lucinda Williams turns “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” into a mournful dirge that reveals the pathos hidden in the old Waylon and Willie duet. Even if the proceeds weren’t going to a good cause, The Imus Ranch Record is a must-purchase. Sure there are some missteps; actually there’s only one: Big & Rich’s appalling, semi-rewritten cover of Beastie Boys classic “Fight For Your Right To Party” that makes one wish for the sweet silence of burst eardrums. However, much like the man himself, the good of this album far outweighs the bad.

Track List:

01 - Silver Springs (Patty Loveless)
02 - Lay Down Sally (Delbert McClinton)
03 - Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (Lucinda Williams)
04 - You Better Move On (Levon Helm)
05 - Life Has its Little Ups and Downs (Raul Malo)
06 - I Ain't Never (Little Richard)
07 - I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore (Randy Travis)
08 - Fight For Your Right to Party (Big & Rich)
09 - What a Difference a Day Makes (Willie Nelson)
10 - Give Back the Key to my Heart (Dwight Yoakam)
11 - What Happened (Bekka Bramlett)
12 - Welfare Music (John Hiatt)
13 - Satisfied Mind (Vince Gill)

Download includes front cover