Chesney starts the healing

Kenny Chesney

"Lucky Old Sun"

(BNA)

* * 1/2

This is the one Kenny Chesney watchers have been waiting for ever since the cuddle-bunny country superstar's 2005 marriage to Renee Zellweger flamed out so spectacularly.

Last year's "Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates" sidestepped that issue with an album full of songs, and sentiments, written by others. Now he's written or co-written five of the 11 songs on this latest collection, "Lucky Old Sun," allowing the first glimpses of what's really been going on in his head and his heart. (A deluxe version of the album including bonus live tracks, video content and other extras came out Tuesday; the regular edition will be released Oct. 21.)

Chesney's concentrating here on the aftermath of heartbreak and broken dreams and what it takes to move forward after loss. There's nothing in any of the songs to stoke the gossip mongers but plenty to nurture fans who have been worried about the object of their affection. There's also empathy for those who might be going through something similar (minus the paparazzi), but the result is more consoling than memorable.

This is a quiet, introspective collection, predominantly an effort to find and take comfort wherever it presents itself. Pain is evident, but not the intimately revealed variety you'd expect from such esteemed songwriters as Rodney Crowell or John Hiatt. Relief from heartache is more crucial to Chesney than attempting to sort out what failings -- his or someone else's -- might have brought it on.

There's no country-rock bravado, just gentle acoustic guitars, reassuring piano accents and occasional steel drums to add the requisite island flavor, soothing stuff you'd expect on a country version of "The Wave" radio station. He counts his blessings ("I'm Alive," "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven") and leans on friends, metaphorically and literally with guest spots from Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and the Wailers, all of whom show up to help jump start the healing process.

-- Randy Lewis

She's comfortable with vintage soul

Nikka Costa

"Pebble to a Pearl"

(Go Funk Yourself/Stax)

* * 1/2

"If you're a tree I'll be the roots," Nikka Costa tells a lover on "Pebble to a Pearl," her first effort since departing the major-label system that never quite managed to make her a star. (If Costa's name rings a bell, it's most likely because you remember the Tommy Hilfiger spot that featured her song "Like a Feather.")