The Queens of Country

This three-disc set salutes the artistry of Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn as captured in various television appearances. To author Robert K. Oermann, who hosts Patsy Cline: Sweet Dreams Still, the Virginia native's larger-than-life voice assured her of success, evident even in confident early performances of “Come On In” and “A Church, A Courtroom and Then Goodbye” with Ernest Tubb on guitar. Cline also performs hit singles, such as “Walkin' After Midnight,” “Crazy,” and “I Fall to Pieces” (not one of her favorites, as Cline preferred more aggressive material). Aside from the featured selections, this anthology also includes six supplemental songs and a chat with Cline's husband, Charlie Dick. Dolly Parton: Dolly & Friends focuses more on duets from the Tennessee titan's 1976 variety series (although solo turns also abound), with highlights including Emmylou Harris singing Parton's “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy,” Linda Ronstadt performing “I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)” featuring Harris on harmony vocals, and Parton serving up her own “I Will Always Love You,” a work now more closely associated with Whitney Houston. Other duet partners include Rod McKuen (“Feelings”) and Kenny Rogers (“He's Got the Whole World in His Hands”), with a bonus clip of Parton singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” on The Porter Wagoner Show. Loretta Lynn: Songs of Inspiration finds the Kentucky-born Lynn singing gospel numbers on The Wilburn Brothers Show, including “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Sweet By and By.” Of the three programs, Loretta Lynn: Songs of Inspiration is less likely to appeal to casual fans, since Lynn does not perform any of her secular hits. Still, there's bang for the buck in this compilation of female country royalty. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)