Albums of the Week: Target Stores' Spotlight Series

March 8, 2007
Country Insider

Unlike Wal-Mart, Target pays its employees a living wage. It also has one of the coolest new album collections anywhere with this set. Each album retails for just $9.95. Not all of the compilations work: the dance remix of David Cassidy’s music still sounds like David Cassidy. But Singer Songwriters – Red Mix, New Music from an Old Friend, and the new Kenny Loggins recordings are all wonderful values that are available exclusively at Target Stores. Singer Songwriters opens with Elton John’s 1972 space ballad “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time),” beautifully mixed and mastered; then presents songs by younger artists from Ryan Adams (“When the Stars Go Blue”) to the late, great Elliott Smith (“Son of Sam”) and Amos Lee (“Arms of a Woman”).

New Music from an Old Friend is a fascinating concept: Have a beloved singer/songwriter like CAROLE KING, KENNY LOGGINS, BURT BACHARACH and KRIS KRISTOFFERSON record 2 songs: 1 a familiar hit, the 2nd a newer tune which listeners haven’t heard yet. Even the reclusive BRIAN WILSON participated. Hats off to Target, and especially to the Exec producer for 180 Music JIM BRANDMEIER, who has done wonderful work with this highly eclectic, fascinating set. Check ‘em out at Target Stores nationwide.