Down This Road (ACR/RCA, 2005)

The history of country music is littered with the failures of stars' relatives, so the connection between The Wrights - Adam and his wife, Shannon - and Alan Jackson, Adam's uncle, counts for less than one might think; it probably helped to get their foot in the door (ACR is Alan's Country Records), but if they're going to make it, it will be on the strength of songs like their debut album's title track. Written and sung by Shannon Wright, "Down This Road" doesn't break new ground, but its tight construction, spare arrangement and convincing delivery make it a solid, satisfying piece of work.

The same can largely be said for the album as a whole. Both Wrights are songwriters-though Adam's got the greater number of cuts (there are only two collaborations), Shannon's arguably the more polished and interesting of the two - and engaging singers, while backup is provided by a small crew of accomplished players, notably steel player Paul Franklin and the legendary Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano. The two get a thorough workout, and like the rest of the band, their playing is both relaxed and inspired.

This isn't a blockbuster, look-at-us kind of album - rather, it's a pretty restrained effort that bears a comfortable, but not overbearing resemblance to Jackson's own CDs-but it's a refreshing piece of work that proves talent sometimes does run in the family.