Fox and the Hound 2 soundtrack doesn't deserve to be cast into the slough of Disney's direct-to-video sequels. Heavy-hitter
Reba McEntire makes an appearance here along with
Trisha Yearwood and former American Idol contestant
Josh Gracin, and they're all in top form on this disc. Riding the success of her 2005 release,
Jasper County,
Yearwood is predictably stunning on "Blue Beyond," a ballad that dips into "How Do I Live" territory.
McEntire brings just the right amount of moxie and humor to "Good Doggie, No Bone!," but she's at her best on the sweet reprise of "We're in Harmony." Other high points come from relative newcomers
One Flew South on the twangy sweet "Friends for Life" and from Little Big Town on the flop-eared, rollicking "We Go Together."
Mannheim Steamroller fans might be surprised to find a track here by none other than
Chip Davis, who performs a surprisingly organic, bluegrass-tinged version of the movie's theme, "We're In Harmony." Brimming with a little more honky tonk than you'd expect from a Disney release and featuring some good songs by Grammy winner
Marcus Hummon, this album is a sleeper among soundtracks. ~ Margaret Reges