Though Willie Nelson's thematic albums in recent years have been hit-and-miss, this labor of love is a thorough delight. One Texas legend pays tribute to another and evokes the inspiration of a third, as Nelson puts his stylistic signature on the songbook of Cindy Walker, with arrangements channeling the spirit of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (whose most familiar songs include many of Walker's). Nelson's conversational phrasing refreshes the familiar title track and brings out the soulful depths of heartfelt (and heartsick) balladry such as "Not That I Care." The nimble band features the interplay of Playboys alum Johnny Gimble on fiddle and the legendary Buddy Emmons on steel guitar, under the production of Nashville veteran Fred Foster. Saloon songs such as "Bubbles in My Beer" and "The Warm Red Wine" meet the mythic West of "Cherokee Maiden" and "Dusty Skies" and the weathered resilience of "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age" and "I Don't Care," as the collection pays testament not only to Walker's range, but to Nelson's interpretive mastery. --Don McLeese

With such country legends as Bob Wills, Gene Autry, Eddy Arnold, and Ernest Tubb recording Cindy Walker's songs, a mid-century Texas dance floor could have stayed packed on a soundtrack of nothing but her music. You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker could be likened to a country version of Stardust, Willie's famous 1978 collection of recast pop standards. Therein lies the beauty of Cindy Walker's songs, and the gift that is Willie Nelson singing them: sixty years from now, no one will write or sing a country song so well. 2006.