In an effort to keep bringing you the music lover and fan the very best in music reviews I decided after many inquiries to add an Americana Music section. You will find roots music, bluegrass and newgrass, alt. country, roots rock, roots country and many more make up the category, so you may see reviews both here and the country category. Be sure to browse all the review categories here that you think you may be interested in, the total review category listings can be seen at my site map, or click the button marked "Reviews" on the left hand side of this or any page. 

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Beautiful Dreamer
The Songs of Stephen Foster

The very mention of the name Stephen Collins Foster should bring the true meaning of Americana to mind. Stephen Foster was on of the first true pioneering songwriters. There were more composers in his time than actual songwriters that would write lyrics to go with their music. In fact it could actually be said that Stephen Foster really founded American Popular Music. Since most of us were very young we have been acquainted with the Songs Of Stephen Foster, not many children could say they didn't at least know the tune to "Oh Susanna" or "Camptown Races".

I have often thought why there wasn't a CD tribute to one of the true American icons of music. Well, I don't have to wait any longer as American Roots Publishing has put together a great ensemble of artists that truly pay homage to the man and his music. Bringing together artists of this caliber should in itself make a truly wondrous CD, mix in the fact that they are all doing Stephen Foster songs, to me, makes this a truly memorable CD that proves the music of Stephen Foster has stood the test of time.

Among the magnificent artists that are paying their respects are John Prine (My Old Kentucky Home), BR549 (Don't Bet Money On The Shanghai), Beth Nielsen Chapman (In The Eye Abides The Heart), Suzy Bogguss (Ah, May The Red Rose Live Always), and David Ball (Old folks At Home [Swanee River]). Of course there are more, the CD boasts 18 tracks that are beautifully presented by the artists that have chosen to perform them.

Stephen Foster had hard times, a college drop-out, a heavy drinker, couldn't hold on to a marriage, and his tragic death when he was only 37 years old. That didn't make him any less however of a songwriter, he truly penned some of America's most most memorable songs. A couple of the real standout tracks are Henry Kaiser's heavier guitar working of "Autumn Waltz", "Hard Times Come No More" by Mavis Staples, Michelle Shocked & Pete Anderson on "Oh Susanna", and  Roger McGuinn's "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair". The Songs Of Stephen Foster should be a must have for music lovers all over. Beautiful Dreamer is a well presented testament to the life of one of the true greats in Music History, a real treat.

  (5.5 Stars out of 6 )

Play MP3 Sample of "My Old Kentucky Home" by John Prine

Play MP3 Sample of "Oh Susanna" by Michelle Shocked and Pete Anderson

Buy Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster @ Amazon.com $13.99 (USD)

Complete Track Listing

 1. Raul Malo - "Beautiful Dreamer"
2. Alison Krauss w/ Yo Yo Ma - "Slumber My Darling"
3. BR-549 - "Don't Bet Money On The Shanghai"
4. Alvin Youngblood Hart - "Nelly Was A Lady"
5. Judith Edelman - "No One To Love"
6. The Duhks - "Camptown Races"
7. John Prine - "My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight"
8. Henry Kaiser - "Autumn Waltz"
9. Beth Nielsen Chapman-"In The Eye Abides The Heart"
10. David Ball - "Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)"
11. Michelle Shocked & Pete Anderson - "Oh! Susanna"
12. Grey De Lisle - "Willie We Have Missed You"
13. Mavis Staples - "Hard Times Come Again No More"
14. Ollabelle - "Gentle Annie"
15. Roger McGuinn - "Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair"
16. Suzy Bogguss - "Ah, May The Red Rose Live Always"
17. Will Barrow - "Holiday Schottisch"
18. Ron Sexsmith - "Comrades Fill No Glass For Me"