BUDDY MILLER; "The Best of the Hightone Years" (Shout Factory) **** Singer/songwriter Buddy Miller is an honest troubadour. Not only does he write his own textured folk/rock/country tunes and has had them covered by a variety of artists, the guy has worked with like-minded comrades Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle. "The Best of the Hightone Years" takes 16 of his handpicked best and gives the listener a nice, rounded example of this layered music man, and features trademark works such as "That's How I Got to Memphis" and "Does My ring Burn Your Fingers." Four of the songs — "Little Darlin," "The River's Gonna Run," Keep Your Distance" and "Rock Salt and Nails" — are duets with Miller's wife, Judy. — S.I.

MOTT THE HOOPLE/IAN HUNTER; Old Records Never Die: the Mott the Hoople/Ian Hunter Anthology" (Shout Factory) ***

Early '70s rock had that glam-strut. And Mott the Hoople, fronted by Ian Hunter, was one of those British glitter-rock bands that played nostalgic anthems and insightful ballads. "All the Young Dudes," "The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll" and a take of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane" grace some of the songs on the first disc titled "Mott the Hoople." The second disc, "Ian Hunter," features his solo works "Ships," which was remade by Barry Manilow, "Once Bitten Twice Shy," covered by Great White, and "Cleveland Rocks," to name a few. Hunters' voice, unlike some of the arena rockers today, isn't perfect. That's where his passionate delivery rings true. — S.I.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK; "Greatest Hits" (Columbia/Legacy) ** 1/2

After the reunion comes a "Greatest Hits" CD. That's exactly what happened with New Kids on the Block. Although these guys are rather old — their first hit, "Please Don't Go Girl," was released in 1988 — there's no doubt they, like all boy bands, were brilliantly marketed. "Step By Step," "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," "Tonight," "Hangin' Tough" and "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" are catchy and extremly well produced. The CD bonus tracks — Joey McIntyre's solo "Stay the Same," Jordan Knight's duet with Ana called "Angel of Love" and "The Right Combination," a duet by Donnie Wahlberg and Japanese teen pop idol Matsuda Seiko, along with a dance medley of hits called "2008 New Kids on the Block Mega Mix" — make this single CD release complete. — S.I.

O'JAYS; "The Essential O'Jays" (Philadelphia International/Legacy) ***