More Songs Of Route 66: Roadside Attractions (Lazy SOB, 2001)

Route 66, America's most legendary highway, is 75 years old this year, and it sure has provided a lot of kicks. Until the rise of the interstate highway system, it was the main route from Chicago to Los Angeles. It even spawned a TV show, starring sometime singer George Maharis (who is not represented here) It goes from St. Louis, down through Missouri, and Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty and - well, you probably know the song. If you don't, learn it from Marcia Ball's version that kicks off this disc, and then musically follow the route from song to song. (Regardless of where they're singing about, all but one of the artists hails from Texas.) Starting in Chicago means it starts as a blues album. It veers toward country with Jimmy Lafave's "Oklahoma Hills," although Lafave's voice defies categorization.

Dale Watson has two songs "Tucumcari Here I Come" and "Gallop To Gallup." Now that's country! So are Asleep At The Wheel, who get one group cut and solo cuts by members Jason Roberts and Cindy Cashdollar. The album plays like a set put together by a clever college radio DJ, but everybody should find something here to enjoy. (Texas Music RoundUp)