Trisha Yearwood: Real Live Woman (Universal)

Nashville is a much-maligned place these days, its credibility as a creative hub offered in sacrifice to mammon

Nashville is a much-maligned place these days, its credibility as a creative hub offered in sacrifice to mammon. Trisha Yearwood has managed somehow to sustain for us a reason to believe that all is not lost. Sure, she has taken some wrong turns, but her pure and strong white gospel voice is too awesome to linger in the doldrums. Despite the naff title, taken from one of the strongest tracks, this is a seriously impressive slice of mature country soft rock, thoughtful in its conception and vivid in its execution. The material is varied in origin, from Springsteen to Harlan Howard and many spots in between, but the 12 tracks are clearly defined by Yearwood's confident readings. This is a fine singer in top form - no great surprises, just lots of pleasure.