Hurtin Country Songs
Although stars likeBing Crosbyhad found  connections between country and pop before, the early-1960s success of disparate  artists such asPatsy ClineandRay Charlesdefinitively  proved the crossover potential of countrypolitan. Soon after Charles's 1962  classicModern Sounds in Country and Western Musicbroke through, pop singer Dean Martin finally decided to tackle country music, and did so across several albums for Reprise. These 15 songs represent a compelling cross section of his country recordings. Jimmy Bowen's busy arrangements sometimes cross the line between tasteful and tacky, but Martin is never nonplussed, which of course is his appeal to begin with. His confident, distinctive vocals meshed well with the genre's direct emotional communication. Whereas Cline's powerful voice may have conveyed raw pain and heartache, Martin's offhand manner conveys a more subtle resignation and disaffection that's effective in its own way.--Marc Greilsamer