k.d. lang - Absolute Torch And Twang (1989)

This 1989 album was k.d. lang's generous farewell to the country music world that had given her the cold shoulder after her stellar collaboration with legendary producer Owen Bradley on Shadowland. Songs such as "Pulling Back the Reins"--written by lang with coproducer-guitarist Ben Mink--combined classic country and western imagery with more revealingly personal emotions. At the same time, the album maintained a sly sense of humor missing from much of her later work. The covers of Willie Nelson ("Three Days") and Wynn Stewart ("Big Big Love") certainly don't hurt. The Reclines, lang's band, is notable for the presence of Greg Leisz on steel guitar. -Rick Mitchell for Amazon