Two Words, One Answer.
Barbara Mandrell
 Barbara Mandrell Show $34.99 I am very impressed with this seller. It was like almost overnight from the time I ordered this item and it was delivered only in a couple of days. Excellent service. I definitely would order from this seller again.  She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell $7.99 Barbara Mandrell has long been one of my all-time favorite singers, but for a long time, I was never really sure what her legacy was beyond her own music. Despite her popularity in America, I never came across all that many covers of her songs. Dave and Sugar covered three of her songs in the late seventies, Tammy Wynette covered This time I almost made it, Highway 101 covered Midnight angel in the late eighties and Shelby Lynne's debut album Sunrise included This time I almost made it. Trudy Andes included four covers of Barbara's songs on one of her albums. There may have been others, but probably not many. So it was reassuring to learn, soon after its release, of this tribute album. As with most tribute albums, it doesn't take the place of a compilation of Barbara's own music, but it is a worthy addition to any collection of Barbara's music. Also typical of tribute albums, it focuses mainly but not exclusively on the obvious hits. Nobody sings these songs quite like Barbara, but this is a fantastic tribute album that seems to have impressed Barbara, judging by the comments she's included in the booklet. Overall, the albums sounds a little more country than Barbara's own recordings, so some traditionalists may actually prefer this tribute album to Barbara's own music. Two of the songs here (If loving you is wrong I don't want to be right, I wish that I could fall in love today) were among the many covers that Barbara recorded, but these songs were both huge country hits for Barbara, so their inclusion is entirely justified. The set opens with Barbara's signature song, I was country when country wasn't cool. Though listed as being by Kenny Chesney and Reba McEntire, Reba is the main singer here. This track gets the album off to a great start, with Reba in top form - and Kenny too, in his supporting role. On some albums, this would stand out as a highlight, but not here because the high quality of this track is sustained throughout the album. In each case, singers and songs are well-matched. Of the other songs, it's interesting to see that Shelby Lynne revisited the song that she originally recorded well over a decade before, but this time as a duet with Willie Nelson. Brad Paisley, who sings In times like these, apparently sang this song in talent contests as a child. With a nice mix of up-tempo songs and ballads, there is much to like about this album, whether you are a fan of Barbara's music or a fan of some of the singers paying tribute. I fit in both categories, but there are some singers here whose music I am unfamiliar with. They certainly helped their cause by appearing on this album. Maybe their reward will be that I eventually buy some of their music. Hopefully, this album also helps to sustain interest in Barbara's music and to expand her fan base. If it does, perhaps more of her own music will be released on CD.  The Midnight Oil/Treat Him Right $13.98 I was SO glad to see these albums become available on CD. BUY THIS ALBUM WHILE YOU CAN...Barbara's material is going to be hard to come by soon since she is retired and out of the public eye. |
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