Marty Brown

* * * Marty Brown, "High and Dry," MCA. Holy KawLiga--honky-tonk lives! This debut album sizzles with such purity, and authenticity, of emotion--from unbridled joy to utter despair--that most of Brown's neo-traditionalist peers sound coldly calculating by comparison. Ignore two cliched ballads on which he drops his eerily Hank-esque wail to sound more "contemporary"--elsewhere Brown proves that a great country singer is, above all, a great blues singer.

Ask a man about his politics, you might learn what his parents were like. Ask about his religion, you'll probably discover what church he grew up in. But if you want to ascertain the very essence of a man--that unique thing that sets him apart--try asking about his hat.

Ask a man about his politics, you might learn what his parents were like. Ask about his religion, you'll probably discover what church he grew up in. But if you want to ascertain the very essence of a man--that unique thing that sets him apart--try asking about his hat.

* * * Marty Brown, "High and Dry," MCA. Holy KawLiga--honky-tonk lives! This debut album sizzles with such purity, and authenticity, of emotion--from unbridled joy to utter despair--that most of Brown's neo-traditionalist peers sound coldly calculating by comparison. Ignore two cliched ballads on which he drops his eerily Hank-esque wail to sound more "contemporary"--elsewhere Brown proves that a great country singer is, above all, a great blues singer.

The Reds have placed third baseman Chris Sabo on the 15-day disabled list because he has a hyper-extended left knee, the ball club said today. The listing is retroactive to Tuesday, the Reds said. Sabo was injured June 9 in Los Angeles in a home plate collision with Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia. Infielder Marty Brown, who played 10 games with the Reds last September, was called up from the Reds' Nashville farm team to replace Sabo.

Every time I read anything about the Dodgers trading Eric Gagne I shudder. Does management not realize that trading away this gifted pitcher would be at least as unpopular as trading away Piazza or, for that matter, Pedro Martinez? Wake up, Dodger management, unless you want to make the remaining Dodger fans out there irate. Marty Brown Long Beach While watching a game against the hated San Francisco Giants, which of the following scenarios is scarier for Dodger fans?

On a day for records and milestones, UC San Diego catcher Bob Natal reached two Thursday with one swing of his bat. Natal's solo home run in the seventh inning was his 11th this season, tying his own school record and giving the Tritons 32 homers for the season, breaking the school record established last year. It also helped pad UCSD's lead in the team's 8-1 nonconference victory at Point Loma Nazarene College.

1. Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Marty Brown (Coach House, San Juan Capistrano): A double dose of hillbilly soul. 2. Emmylou Harris (Crazy Horse, Santa Ana): Harris gave old favorites a new twist with her acoustic band, the Nash Ramblers. 3. Marty Stuart (Crazy Horse): Stuart used rock 'n' roll energy and old-fashioned showmanship to spice up classic licks he learned playing Johnny Cash and Lester Flatt. 4.

Ten minor league players walked off the practice field at Port Charlotte, Fla., on Saturday in protest of the Texas Rangers' plans to use them in exhibition games. "I let them know I wasn't coming down here to be a replacement player," catcher Craig Colbert said. "It can be a bad influence on your career and the rest of your life."

Re "Dark Portrait of a 'Painter of Light,'" March 5 I have been a Thomas Kinkade dealer for almost 20 years and have had numerous appearances at my galleries by the artist. He has never displayed behavior remotely similar to what you convey. He has always been genuine, humble and appreciative of the collectors who have acquired his paintings. He has raised millions of dollars for charities as well. The art business is difficult, like all businesses, and like all small business models, a high percentage do fail.

Even after 43 years as Angel fans, with the last 12 years as season-ticket holders, my wife and I would rather drive 90 miles south to San Diego Padre games than gag as the Big A public address announcer blares out, "Here come your Los Angeles Angels" as the team takes the field. Jerry Mazenko Garden Grove If Arte Moreno persists in his attempts to rename the Angels, his honeymoon period of ownership will come to a screeching halt. Such feel-good measures as lowering beer prices and spending big bucks for free agents will be long forgotten by the Orange County fan base that has stuck with the team through all of the lean years, those who are likely to think twice about flocking to the stadium to see the "Los Angeles Angels" play.

Cleveland Indian minor league pitcher Kyle Denney remained hospitalized Monday because of a fractured skull, a day after he was hit in the head by a line drive. Buffalo Bison athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said Denney was experiencing dizziness and nausea but was expected to be released from the hospital today. Denney will be put on the disabled list, but Tomczyk said it was too early to determine when he will be able to begin rehabilitation.