New Releases: Various Artist Collections

Today didn’t see the release of any new albums from major artists, but if you’re looking to expand your country music repertoire you might like some of these new collections.

Americana Master Series – Best of the Sugar Hill Years
This is a new series from Sugar Hill Records to honor some of Americana and roots music’s most accomplished artists. “Researched and compiled from the artist’s body of work on Sugar Hill Records, these tracks were culled from radio chart-toppers, fan mail, downloads, and songs and tunes that are recurrent favorites at live performances.”

• Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years – Guy Clark
• Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years – Jerry Douglas
• Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years – James McMurtry

The Definitive Collection
I’m a fan of this series since they generally provide more songs than most other collections that claim to be “definitive” or “essential.”

• Definitive Collection – Chely Wright
• Definitive Collection – Mark Wills
• Definitive Collection – Tracy Byrd
• Definitive Collection – Merle Haggard

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
The majority of these have been released in the past with no apparent change in the cover artwork. I don’t know why they’re being released again (anyone else know?), but it’ll be hard to go wrong with any of these choices.

• Vince Gill – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Reba McEntire – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Don Williams – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Toby Keith – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Terri Clark – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Sammy Kershaw – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
• Tracy Byrd – 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

Forever Gold
Once again, these have all been released before. I can’t find an information as to why they are being re-released with new artwork.

• Forever Gold: Kenny Rogers
• Forever Gold: Freddy Fender
• Forever Gold: Patsy Cline