Various Artists: The Horse Whisperer: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture

The increasingly common phrase "songs from and inspired by the motion picture" is usually misleading, even deceptive. The catch-all caveat is typically an excuse to toss out a couple of inferior big-name outtakes to boost the sales of one of the most savvy of marketing tools, the soundtrack. But in the rare case of The Horse Whisperer's accompanying album, it can be justification to gather some of the most remarkable names in country music together on one disc. While the album's most talked-about treat is a Flatlanders reunion of Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, the band's song "South Wind Of Summer" is just one of the album's many joys. There's also Dwight Yoakam's take on Tex Owens' yodel exercise "Cattle Call," the always-superb Mavericks' own "Dream River," and Steve Earle's restrained "Me And The Eagle." Even George Strait's rendition of the traditional "Red River Valley" is classy and classic. But the record's best songs are sung by some of the most respected female players in country: newcomer Allison Moorer, Emmylou Harris (with the beautiful "Slow Surprise"), Iris DeMent, and the until-now-AWOL pair of Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, neither of whom have released any new material in a long, long time. The overall feel of The Horse Whisperer is meditative rather than raucous, but hearing this string of familiar voices is still downright exciting. With talent this widely respected, who cares where the inspiration comes from? Here's hoping for a sequel.