In Brief

** 1/2 Various artists, “Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles,” Giant. The Eagles were a great country band as well as a great rock band, so the idea here was good: Thirteen country stars--ranging from Alan Jackson and Clint Black to Little Texas and Diamond Rio--interpreting Eagles tunes. But most of the arrangements remain in the shadow of the Eagles versions instead of challenging them. Highlights: Vince Gill’s “I Can’t Tell You Why” and Trisha Yearwood’s “New Kid in Town.” (Part of the proceeds go to the Walden Woods Project.)

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).