Billy Dean strikes patriotic note to welcome Obama

Billy Dean : Glory, Wave On
My PICK OF THE WEEK!

Billy Dean - now there's a name from the past to conjure with.

As Bush waves goodbye and Obama steps up to the plate, this is a patriotic tour de force for every true American.

Written by Wood Newton and Jim Weatherly, the lyrics kind of tell the story of the US Flag.

Songs like this can be painfully emotional, but, for the most part of this one, Dean avoids hurting our sensibilities.

The only bit of overcooking comes when the break-out leads us to the sounds of the wonderful Nashville Symphony and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

The producers got carried away with the build up.

Still, as your heart flutters to the national anthem on January 20, and you welcome a new President, you could do a lot worse than play this in the background!

Danielle Peck : Can't Behave

Man, whoever mastered this was listening to garage, hip hop or rap before they hit the compression button.

For the uninitiated, compression can increase the volume of a song but (badly used) it does  so at the expense of being able to hear individual instruments. Whoever did this needs a lesson in recording technique or a new job.

I'm NOT old but finally, I've come across a Country song where I have to plead "turn the volume down!!"

Peck has a great voice, she can really sing this pop-style song, but she doesn't need the bass pumping like it's on steroids!!

This will do little to further a talented singer's career.

Megan Munroe : Moonshine
I find it VERY strange that Megan Munroe's label has chosen "Moonshine" as her debut US single.

It's a great song, but it simply isn't a single. And it has a very strange arrangement.

There are strange strings (keyboard generated, I suspect) and they add nothing to the whole thing.

I have to tell you that of all the songs on the brilliant album, this is not my pick!!

So buy the album and get to hear what this talented girl can really do!