Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Curb, 2006)

Tim McGraw may have taken a few stabs at co-writing with his second volume of greatest hits, but he is still mainly known for being a singer of songs. Thus, this album showcases McGraw's taste in musical material more than anything else.

Covering the years between 2001 and 2004, these 16 songs reveal how McGraw has picked a few clear-cut winners along the way. He most certainly knows his way around a tear-jerker, exemplified by "Live Like You Were Dying" and to a lesser degree "Grown Men Don't Cry." Although he didn't choose Ryan Adams' best song, McGraw nonetheless deserves extra credit for being a rare mainstream artist to performer a cover of one of that prolific artist's works with "When The Stars Go Blue" here, one of four new songs. This set also includes the expected duet with his wife, Faith Hill, on "Like We Never Loved At All," and it repeats his unexpected (at the time) duet with Nelly on "Over And Over."

Granted, there may be more talented male vocalists in mainstream country - both Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley come immediately to mind - but, nevertheless, Tim McGraw always gives off one beautiful glow whenever he's blessed with stellar songs.