Part of Columbia's excellent Country Classics survey series, this 25-track roundup of Americana-themed material takes in the vast landscape by way of geography, history, and patriotism. Ranging from early honky tonk-era sides to '80s roots, Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 3: Americana spotlights hits by
Marty Robbins ("El Paso"),
Johnny Horton ("North to Alaska"),
Lefty Frizzell ("Saginaw, Michigan"), and
the Charlie Daniels Band ("The Devil Went Down to Georgia"). Bookended by the picaresque likes of "The Ballad of Davey Crockett" (
Fess Parker) and "Highwayman," the mix packs it in with more U.S. gold from
Hawkshaw Hawkins,
Johnny Cash, and
Stonewall Jackson, among others. A rousing bit of old-timey fun. ~ Stephen Cook