Playlist

Lee Ann Womack's upcoming CD, Call Me Crazy, is another traditional country stunner. Along the lines of 2005's award-winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece There's More Where That Came From, Call Me Crazy teams her with respected producer Tony Brown for a dozen tunes that prove country hasn't completely gone frothy pop. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb here and proclaim the Texas native the Tammy Wynette of our times. Like the late country queen, Ms. Womack has the ability to make pain, resignation and life-altering decisions sound so wonderfully melodic. She sings with the purity of Dolly Parton and the emotional heft of Tammy Wynette. Call Me Crazy arrives in stores Oct. 21.

One more thing: Dig that so retro cool CD cover!

Call Me Crazy cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

Jackson Browne's new record, Time the Conqueror, makes its debut on Sept. 23, just a few days before his 60th birthday, and just a few weeks before he appears at The Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie (Oct. 29). To promote Time the Conqueror, he has an appearance scheduled on The Colbert Report on Sept. 23, the day the album is released. It's a fine record, with 10 great songs. I especially liked the title track, as well as "Where Were You?," "The Drums of War," "Just Say Yeah" and "Going Down to Cuba."

Photo: Stephen Colbert wins the Peabody Award

The Texas celebrity most fun to poke fun of debuts her first country album, Do You Know, tomorrow. Read what Mario thinks of it here. You can find more CD reviews on the music page Tuesday.

Haven't heard her country stuff yet? Listen to tracks on her Myspace, then tell us what you think of our favorite Richardson pop tart gone country.

On Sept. 16, Universal spinoff Fontana Records will re-release the debut album by Dallas electronic-lounge band Shock of Pleasure . It's About Time came out locally a year ago, but the national version has two new tracks -- covers of the Carpenters' hit "Superstar" and "Spooky," the Classics IV's 1967 song that's a staple on oldies radio. Shock of Pleasure plays Sept. 20 at Kinki Lounge.