For the first time, the singer gets separated from his songs, thus bringing Yoakam"s considerable songwriting talents into clear focus. With Pete Anderson, Yoakam"s longtime friend/producer/guitarist, in the executive-producer chair, the 14 songs maintain a steady quality, highlighted by standout turns from Rhonda Vincent, Sara Evans, Reckless Kelly, Pete Droge, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Yoakam"s songs show a knack for tackling traditional country-music territory. While most of the misery in these songs results from bad love, songs such as "I Sang Dixie" and "Miner"s Prayer" show an empathy for other people"s woes as well, thus making fitting bookends for this homeless-benefit release. Yoakam comes through the songwriter"s litmus test--the tribute album--unscathed. --Marc Greilsamer