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Tim McGraw's latest interweaves old, new

Tim McGraw's album "Damn Country Music"
Tim McGraw's album "Damn Country Music"

B+ Tim McGraw

Damn Country Music

Big Machine

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Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal's album "Musique de Nuit"

Few veteran artists straddle contemporary and traditional country music styles as well, and as entertainingly, as Tim McGraw. On his new album, McGraw includes tunes George Jones would have felt comfortable performing, while others push country music into new territory.

On the traditional side, the cheating song "Don't Make Me Feel at Home" conjures up the sort of psychological dilemma found in classic country works by singers like Johnny Paycheck. "Here Tonight," with harmony vocals by daughter Gracie McGraw, draws on upbeat Celtic sounds with the timeless, celebratory feel of early Dixie Chicks.

On the moody country-rocker "Losin' You," McGraw and longtime producer Byron Gallimore mix atmospheric and dramatic touches to great effect. The melodic, sunny pop of "California," which features country duo Big & Rich, is the aural equivalent of the ocean breezes and palm trees that, in the lyrics, prove so alluring to a woman the singer loves.

To McGraw's credit, Damn Country Music shows that old and new sounds can work together -- especially when the emphasis is on originality rather than following trends.

Hot tracks: "Don't Make Me Feel at Home," "Losin' You," "California"

-- MICHAEL McCALL,

The Associated Press

A+ Ballake Sissoko

and Vincent Segal

Musique de Nuit

Six Degrees

One of 2011's best and most rewarding recordings, Chamber Music, teamed Mali's Ballake Sissoko, the brilliant kora player, and acclaimed French cellist Vincent Segal. These unlikely partners created a stunning fusion that echoed its title.

Happily, the richness and fluidity of this partnership continues and grows on the moody and minimalist Musique de Nuit; there is an undeniable classical vibe (especially on "Prelude"), but its best moments seem to come during the improvisations. Those who enjoy pianist Keith Jarrett's improvisational approach should appreciate this exquisite music, which seems to evoke a kind of primal spirit and Baroque.

Recorded on the rooftop of Sissoko's home in Mali, Musique de Nuit soars on the interplay of their instruments -- supple, heart-tugging, emotional. "Niandou" is breathtaking in its beauty. There are hints of Brazilian rhythms on "Samba Tomora," while "Diabaro" explores and evokes traditional turf with a hair-raising, keening vocal by Babani Kone.

Hot tracks: "Niandou," the haunting title track, "Samba Tomora"

-- ELLIS WIDNER

A Nikki Hill

Heavy Hearts, Hard Fists

Deep Fryed

The title of Nikki Hill's new album gives a hint of what's in store. Simply put, Heavy Hearts, Hard Fists is a total knockout, one of the best and most exciting records of the year.

Just in her 20s, Hill is a big-voiced belter who's already a towering presence -- part soul diva, part rock queen. Fronting a taut guitar-bass-drums combo (with occasional piano) led by her husband, guitarist Matt Hill, she delivers one scorcher after another.

Her ferocious songs echo rockabilly and punk ("Oh My"), riffing Stones ("Struttin'," "Hotshot"), rave-up Faces ("Let Me Tell You 'Bout Love"), and rabid Little Richard ("Scratch Back"). The change-of-pace "Nothin' With You" shows Hill can drop the fists and the attitude and deliver a tender soul ballad. And the album closes with a revved-up version of Sam Cooke's "Twistin' the Night Away" that points up Hill's connection to the past while underscoring just how thrillingly of the moment she is.

Hot tracks: "Oh My," "Hotshot," "Nothin' With You," "Twistin' the Night Away"

-- NICK CRISTIANO,

The Philadelphia Inquirer

B- Trey Anastasio

Paper Wheels

Rubber Jungle/ATO

When Phish frontman Trey Anastasio settles into a groove, his latest solo record shines.

Anastasio, on his first solo record in three years and 10th of his career, produces a tune, aptly titled "The Song," that is not only the best track, but serves as a mission statement for the 51-year-old rocker.

"And the hands on the clock keep ticking, just rolling along," he sings. "In the end, all that's left is the song."

Moments like those help make up for weak spots, like backing vocals relying too much on la-la-la-la-ing and ah-ah-ah-ah-ing that mar other tracks like "Never" and "Flying Machines."

Phish and Anastasio aren't known for lyrical dexterity. So it's not too surprising there are some clunkers here.

But when he focuses on the riff and groove, songs like "In Rounds" are hard to resist. Those are the moments that Anastasio fans look for in concert, and that are harder to replicate on record, but they can be found on Paper Wheels.

You just have to be patient in waiting for them to roll around.

Hot tracks: "The Song," "In Rounds"

-- SCOTT BAUER,

The Associated Press

Style on 11/17/2015

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