Oodles of greatest hits albums

Here are reviews of new greatest hits albums.

BROOKS & DUNN; "Greatest Hits II" (Arista Nashville) ** 1/2

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn needed a second disc to complete its "Greatest Hits" songs. "That's What It's All About," "The Long Goodbye," "Husbands and Wives," "That's What She Gets for Loving Me" and "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" shine on this album. "A Man This Lonely," "I'll Never Forget My Heart" and "If You See Him/If You See Her" (with Reba McEntire) add to the heartfelt quality of the song list. This is a must for Brooks & Dunn fans. — Scott Iwasaki

JACKSON BROWNE; "The Very Best of Jackson Browne" (Elektra/Rhino) ***

Back in the 1970s Jackson Browne was all over the radio. Although his only Top 10 hit, "Somebody's Baby," was in 1982, he wrote the Eagles its first single, "Take It Easy," and even gave one of his own songs, "Doctor My Eyes," to the Jackson Five. These two songs are included in this two-CD package. Others include his trademark restless anthems "Boulevard," "Running on Empty," "Tender Is the Night" and "The Pretender." The live version of "Stay" and his most recent single, "Naked Ride Home," complete this nice little collection. — S.I.

RODNEY CARRINGTON; "Greatest Hits" (Capitol) ** 1/2

Call him the redneck Don Rickles. Rodney Carrington is as funny as he can be offensive when he rattles off his stand-up shtick. He makes fun of everyone — his wife ("Wife at Garage Sales"), his childhood ("Growing Up Poor — Toughskins Jeans") and religion ("Baptist Revival"). He also takes aim at Asians ("Japanese Restaurant") and women ("Tips on Marriage"). And these are only on the first CD. The second CD is his music, and such songs as "The Night the Bar Closed Down," "More of a Man" and "In Her Day" are just as offensive, outrageous and sometimes bitterly funny. — S.I.

TERRI CLARK; "Greatest Hits 1994-2004" (Mercury Nashville) ***

Sassy, unbridled and heartfelt — that's country singer Terri Clark's songs. And her best works have been put on one CD, a smorgasbord that includes her first hit, "Better Things to Do," and adds such mid-career works as "Emotional Girl," "Now That I Found You" and "I Just Wanna Be Mad," among others. There is also a new track, "Girls Lie Too." The collection is a nice career rundown of this free-spirited Grammy-nominated singer. — S.I.

JOE COCKER; "Ultimate Collection" (Hip-O) ****