Greatest Hits (Curb, 2003)

There is no denying Jo Dee Messina deserves a greatest hits album. Three albums into her career, the Massachusetts native has scored a slew of hits from the get go with "Heads Carolina, Tails California" and "You're Not in Kansas Anymore." Throughout, Messina clearly has crossed over into the pop side of music, more so over time.

What has served the redhead well is her voice. It's a strong and powerful instrument with vocals out front time and again. When she gets sensitive - "Bring on the Rain," a duet with former producer Tim McGraw - Messina also turns in a meaty performance. As for the four new, very positive songs, the lead-off "Was That My Life" is the best of the batch. It's slower than the rest. "Wishing Well" sounds right out of the Phil Vassar songbook. Co-written with Annie Roboff, it's typical Vassar fare, meaning bright sounding, upbeat and far more pop than country. The others - "You Belong in the Sun" and "I Wish" are typical Messina fare. She sings very well with lots of oomph in her vocals, but the music is pop country with a few sounds associated with country.

Messina has enjoyed a consistent career in an age where pop goes the country.