David Ball makes classic country records the way they’re supposed to be made: sincere, emotive vocals, crisp harmonies that support the sweeter moments, pedal steel guitars that meet with fiddles and pianos and guitars that occasionally bow with a solo. Sparkle City is a collection of originals that sound like Ball’s creating his own version of the classic country he covered on 2007’s Heartaches By the Number. “What’ll I Do” is the perfect country ballad. “Smilin’ In the Morning” crackles with all the classic moves of pedal steel and gently tremolo-ed guitars. He spends a lot of his time down South and out West with “Tulsa,” “Back to Alabama” and “Houston Again.”  “Countryboy Boogie” picks up the tempo with a shot of Western swing and rockabilly making for a spirited drive. This Rock Hill, South Carolina-born and Texas-bred singer-songwriter can write like an old- time pro and perform like it’s several decades back without sounding a bit retro. A master of a classic American form.