Deana Carter, ''The Chain'' (Vanguard)

Deana Carter has always followed her own idiosyncratic path. Even her most famous song, ''Strawberry Wine,'' and her best-selling album, ''Did I Shave My Legs for This?'' were outside of country music conventions.

So naturally, when she chooses to do an album of cover songs and duets - a common choice for veteran singers these days - she finds an uncommon way to go about it.

For Carter, that means making the album a tribute to her father, well-regarded studio musician Fred Carter Jr., who played on classic rock tracks and country standards. This allows her to perform songs by Bob Dylan (''Lay Lady Lay''), The Band (''The Weight'') and Neil Young (''Old Man'') as well as those by country stars. All of the original versions featured her father on guitar.

For her covers, she often joins with the artist who made the song famous. Paul Simon and his son Harper are on board for her version of ''The Boxer,'' while she's also joined by family friends George Jones (''He Thinks I Still Care''), Dolly Parton (a beautiful ''Love Is Like a Butterfly'') and Willie Nelson (a cleverly rearranged ''On the Road Again'')

Not everything works - Carter should have chosen a different Dylan cover, for example. But when it does, as on a beautifully slowed down take on Roy Orbison's ''Crying,'' Carter proves that she remains as unpredictable as she is distinctive.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: Carter invites John Anderson to trade verses with her on his 1983 hit, ''Swingin','' and runs it through the swamp with a funky arrangement.

By MICHAEL McCALL For The Associated Press

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