from outlaw country to cowboy hymns

Maverick . . . The Soundtrack (Atlantic)

various artists

By Michael W. Stout

Maverick . . . The Soundtrack, the motion picture soundtrack of the big screen adaptation of the Maverick television series, sounds like a Who's Who of country music. It includes superstars such as Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, Clint Black, and Carlene Carter. A western soundtrack would be as incomplete without an outlaw as a western film would. The original outlaw of country music, Waylon Jennings, fills the outlaw's boots perfectly with his performance of "You Don't Mess Around With Me."

This soundtrack is a very strong collection of cowboy tunes that feel as good as a well broken-in saddle. Songs such as Carlene Carter's self-penned "Something Already Gone," Clint Black's "A Good Run Of Bad Luck," Tracy Lawrence's "Renegades, Rebels And Rogues," and Confederate Railroad's "Ladies Love Outlaws" shine above the rest like a freshly polished chrome six-shooter.

Vince Gill turns in a performance different from any he's ever done before with "Ophelia," which features some refreshing, old-time saloon piano. Patty Loveless and Radney Foster blend their voices beautifully on a duet titled "The Rainbow Down The Road."

Cowboys carry a strong faith with them as they roam the lone prairie and never forget the hymns they grew up hearing their beloved mothers sing. An up-tempo rendition of "Amazing Grace" is performed by The Maverick Choir. This choir consists of solos by greats like Billy Dean, Reba McEntire, Hal Ketchum, Tammy Wynette, Kathy Mattea, and Amy Grant, along with a whole herd of harmony.