Music Review: Various Artists – Now That’s What I Call Country Volume 3

Now That’s What I Call Country Volume 3 is the latest release in the Now series of compilation albums. The most popular in the series is Now That’s What I Call Music, which has reached 36 volumes and covers the popular hits of the day. Other types of music that have been covered are Club Hits, Christmas songs, Latino hits, Dance Classics, and a number of other specialty releases. The grand total in the entire series has now passed the 100 mark.

Now That’s What I Call Country Volume 3 follows the very successful first two releases in this series. The first release reached number 1 on The United States Country Charts and number 7 on the Pop Charts. Volume 2 reached 4 and 10 respectively. Together, the first two volumes have sold over 700,000 copies. Volume 3 debuted at number 3 on the Country Chart and number 22 in Pop.

The releases serve a number of purposes. The labels involved make some money from previously released material while drawing attention to the albums of the artists. The enclosed booklet contains pictures of the latest albums by each of the country stars involved.

What the country fan receives is some of the best and most popular music of the past year or so. There are 16 tracks and all were hits, including six that reached number 1. The songs that climbed to the top of the charts are “One Kind Of Love” by Lady Antebellum, “Why Don’t We Just Dance” by Josh Turner, “Highway 20 Ride” by the Zac Brown Band, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young, “Rain Is A Good Thing,” by Luke Bryan, and “A Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin.

There are a number of tasty treats that did not reach the top of the charts. “Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong” presents Martina McBride’s clear and powerful voice well. “American Saturday Night” by Brad Paisley, “Ain’t Back Yet” by Kenny Chesney, “Unstoppable” by Rascal Flatts, and “Til Summer Comes Around” by Keith Urban are all some of the best country music has to offer.

My only complaint is there should have been some information about the songs and artists.

The tracks that comprise Now That’s What I Call Country Volume 3 contain a nice flavor of country music’s best. It’s a smooth listen and a pleasant way to spend an hour.