BRITISH radio mostly plays a great variety of styles and genres, but in America there is still a great divide between station playlists. Indeed, quite a controversy erupted in 1980 when Kenny Rogers scored a hit with Lionel Richie’s ballad Lady.

Now, 32 years on, Richie has opened his songbook to some of the hottest country artists of today (and Pixie Lott) for a soul and country hoe-down. Well, that was the theory. Mostly Nashville’s finest add little to Richie’s polished vanilla repertoire. One may have hoped that Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts, all great country boys, would have added some raw country passion. But this is not the case. Maybe their contributions were airbrushed away in the mix?

Sadly the rather fabulous Shania Twain is also wasted on a most unconvincing cover of Endless Love. Only Kenny Rogers and old timer Willie Nelson come through the experience with their dignity intact.