|
"The Innocent Years"
Though barely past 40 on this disc,
Kathy Mattea, best known for sentimental hits like "Eighteen
Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Where've You Been,"
has obviously been feeling some of the pangs of midlife. Themes
of loss, atonement, and spiritual reckoning echo through 2000's
The Innocent Years, her first album in three years and one of
her very best ever.Mattea possesses a warm, magnificently expressive
alto that has suffered comparisons (both fair and unfair) to
Canadian singer Anne Murray's amiable purr. Yet Mattea has seldom
sounded so impassioned, inspired, and delightfully contemporary
as she does on this exquisite song collection. The title tune
reaches far beyond poignant nostalgia and captures a painful
inner yearning for spiritual rejuvenation and the rebirth of
innocence. Throughout Kathy Mattea's translates her spiritual
and emotional quest into a deeply satisfying journey for her
listeners as well. --Bob Allen |
Customer review from Amazon
Reviewer: Richard from Thunder Bay, Ontario
It's too bad the mass buying public seems to be drawn toward
ear candy, as in Shania Twain, Faith Hill etc. It is also too
bad that country radio and the country music fans don't get to
hear enough of Mattea. She is the genuine article. This is what
country music should be, meaningful, thought provoking, sung
with so much feeling. This cd is definitely her best yet. There
are no throw aways on this one. Her voice just gets better and
better. Standouts are That's the Deal and I Will Always Love
You. These are love songs. I think even if you are not a country
music fan you will thoroughly enjoy this collection of songs
with intelligent lyrics and performed by one of the best singers
in any genre. I have just turned 50 and these song speak to me. |
|
|
