Originally a digital-only release, this is an addition to the official soundtrack for the successful Country Strong film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw. It includes 14 tracks used in the film. Of these eight are by actors Garret Hedlund (five) and Leighton Meester (two); the pair sing a duet on "Give in to Me." Paltrow is represented by the stellar "A Fighter," and the raw, stumbling, yet emotionally convincing "Travis." This collection also includes Texas songwriter
Hayes Carll's moving ballad "Take Me Away," the honky tonk weeper "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Jypsi,
Nikki Williams' "Fly Again," and the contemporary country pop of
Jesse Lee's "Kissin' in Cars." Given the less polished presentation of this digital release,
Country Strong: More Music from the Motion Picture is more convincing -- and satisfying -- than its predecessor. ~ Thom Jurek