First off, I'll start by admitting I haven't heard this allbum so I am not standing up in its defence. However I've gotta take exception to your logic in this post. First off commercial success is irrelevant to the artistic merit of a record, though I think you will freely admit that. Come on, even as a die hard country fan, you've gotta admit, that like any genre, most of Nashvilles output is mediocre comercial drivel. Yes this album is probably a bit over hyped too, thanks to the Jack White involvement and all the critics jumping on the bandwagon. Even the normally harsh pitchforkmedia.com gave it a glowing review. I think you are also confusing the term "muscian" with those of "producer" and "songwriter". Jack White is a great musician, whether you love or hate the White Stripes, there is no doubt that the man can play guitar. However as a producer or even as a songwriter, Jack White might just fall short for the job at hand. He is pretty good at these things when recording as part of the White Stripes, however the problem is that The White Stripes have a very strict and specific aesthetic. One can't imagine the stripes ever "going digital" for example. This aesthetic works well for them, but the problem may be when you try to carry some of your own aesthetic over to another artist to whom it may not be suited. This is why bands have to sometimes shop around before finding a producer who suits them. You can hardly fault Jack Whites intentions though, he does seem to be a genuine fan and admirer of Loretta Lynn and had a genuine desire to work with her. Maybe this didn't give him the objectivity that he needed? Also, I'm pretty sure that Loretta Lynn was smart enough to know what she was getting into, she chose the get into this project of her own free will, though of course it may have been just to get rid of a pestering fanboy. Anyway, thats just my two cents. Bear in mind that my only real knowledge of Loretta Lynns mysic is the song "Fist City", which cracks me up every time I listen to it. (probably saciledge to say that!)

Todays word of the day is: Tautology. Wow, I had to get the dictionary out for that one! It means needless repetition of different words apparently. Anyway, now I that I have some idea of what yer on about... Smokescreen? You credit me with far too much cunning and intelligence. Anyway if I didn't feel I had logical point to make, why would I bother posting in the first place? Anyway back to the actual music itself. I feel that making a distinction between the roles of "musician", "producer" and "songwriter" is important when discussing the process of making a record. As important as the distintion between a director and an actor in filmaking even if such roles are taken on by the same person. My definition of producer, is someone who is responsible for how a record "sounds" (your main beef with the record). He will generally guide the musicians and the engineer until they produce the sound he is looking for. The musicans job is just to play the songs as directed by the producer and Loretta Lynn herself was pretty pleased with the standard of musicianship, even naming them the Do Whaters, because as she said "I named them that because they got in there and did whatever we needed them to!" Im not sure if I can express the point I'm trying to make clearly, but if the choice of producer affects how the finished album ends up then any artist needs to think twice before deciding on a producer. For example, if you didnt want your album to have layers of polished production, you would not choose Jeff Lynne or Phil Spector, you'd be looking for someone like Steve Albini. All producers have their own style. You can certainly criticise that style, but to criticise them for having a style is like crticising a film director for having a visual style. If Loretta Lynn knew what his style was like and hired him anyway, then that was her choice. Is it a conceit to work with an artist "greater" than yourself and to attempt to bring your own aesthetic to the collaboration? Well put it this way, you have to ask yourself should there be a caste system among musicians? I think its the dream of anyone interested in music to work with their heroes. Would you turn down such an opportunity if it presented itself? I wouldn't. But if you don't bring your own ideas or input to such a partnership, whats the point of you being there? Its just that maybe Jack Whites ideas, weren't neccesarily good ones for the project at hand. What it all comes down to is this; don't give Jack White such a hard time. In your opinion he messed up the job that he had to do, and maybe thats true, but I think his heart was in the right place.