Barnes & Noble
Since the original TV series was all about fast cars, free-flowing liquor, and gals wearing next-to-nothing, you'd expect the soundtrack from the movie remake of The Dukes of Hazzard to run the gamut from knee-slappin' to butt-kickin'. And that's exactly what's delivered on this unabashedly good-time romp through the steamy backwaters of southern rock and outlaw country. The set is fueled on high-octane truck-stop anthems such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Call Me the Breeze" and Molly Hatchett's "Flirtin' with Disaster," both of which conjure up visions of the General Lee peeling down a blue highway with rubber squealing. Another sort of vision altogether arises from Jessica "Daisy Duke" Simpson's Hee-Haw-gone-burlesque remake of the Nancy Sinatra classic "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," -- a tune that reminds listeners that southern belles aren't always that innocent. As if to prove there's more than one way to wave the (Confederate) flag, the producers round out the 13-song collection with some surprises, including Montgomery Gentry's high-spirited "Hillbilly Shoes" and "Soul City," a typically down 'n' dirty wink-fest from roadhouse-rock veterans Southern Culture on the Skids. If it's a rebel yell you're lookin' for, you've come to the right place. David Sprague
All Music Guide
Pop culture fans probably would've liked this set to include Waylon Jennings' original television theme, but Willie Nelson's autopilot remake is probably satisfactory for this broad and snickering, nostalgia-aping film adaptation. Disregarding Jessica Simpson's insultingly horrible rendition of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" -- it doesn't even sound like music, it's just blips and sliced-up fiddles behind Simpson's feathery nothing of a lead vocal -- the Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack is an enjoyable, if somewhat obvious collection of southern rock and AOR staples that takes the occasional country or left-field detour. "Call Me the Breeze" fulfills its Skynyrd quota, as does the James Gang's "Funk #49" for classic rock. The prideful country -- rock of the Charlie Daniels Band's "South's Gonna Do It Again" is a more novel choice, and the big dumb stomp of Ram Jam's 1977 novelty "Black Betty'" will probably never get old, and it doesn't here. (Note: Dukes includes the non-radio-edit version; it includes an Edgar Winter-like guitar breakdown.) "Hillbilly Shoes" is Montgomery Gentry's 1999 country radio breakthrough, and Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's "Pride and Joy" is perfect for those scenes of Daisy Duke tending bar. A more unlikely inclusion is "Change My Mind" from the Blueskins, Wakefield England young'uns who rip like Yardbirds revivalists. The Blues Explosion gets in on the act too, contributing "Burn It Off" from 2004's Damage. Dukes of Hazzard is also bookended by jokes from Nelson's Uncle Jessie. Johnny Loftus