June Carter Cash

This CD, finished only weeks before June Carter Cash died of cancer in May, is a must-have for any serious country-music fan -- and not necessarily for the quality of the music. Carter Cash's voice was all but gone by the time this was recorded. But that's hardly the point. This is a celebration of someone who was loved and in turn gave love in abundance.

Wildwood Flower contains eight Carter Family songs written by famed uncle A.P. Carter, four songs June wrote or co-wrote with her sisters and/or her mother, Maybelle, and one cut, "Temptation," that came from outside the clan. Johnny helps out, as do other family members (such as ex-son-in-law Marty Stuart) and Norman and Nancy Blake, who provide their usual sparkling musicianship.

Buy this CD. The booklet's touching tribute to June from stepdaughter Rosanne Cash is worth the price you'll pay.