Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Sept 30, 2003 12:02:58 GMT -5
Today Martina releases her first all new studio album in 4 years. For the past two years, she has been supporting the 4 new singles on her Greatest Hits disc.
So in honor of the new release by the reigning CMA, AMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, today I am reviewing her best and most successful CD, 1997's Evolution.
Martina McBride
Evolution
1997
1. I'm Little But I'm Loud-This first selection, under a minute long, is a recording from 1973, when Martina was 7 years old. I defy any child prodigy to out do this performance. Very cute recording.
2. Happy Girl-One of a handful of singles on the album This peaked at number 2 on the charts. Martina herself first thought this would be a "fluff" song when she read the title. But upon listening to the lyrics, she realized it was about the strength a woman takes to just be herself and not afraid. (I really get in touch with my feminine side listening to Martina, don't I?
) One of the more upbeat tunes on the album.
3. Be That Way-Powerful song about how two people in a strong enough relationship can get through anything. Only Martina can give the word "yell" four syllables and make it sound good!
4. A Broken Wing-This song is just as much a gospel song as it is a country song. In fact, there is a choir on the background of the refrain. Another message song, this time about a woman who overcame emotional abuse from her husband. This is one of Martina's top five best vocal performance's ever and a number one hit for her.
5. Wrong Again-A second number one song in a row. Very basic song, not a lot of music overpowering on this one. This song has a trait that many country songs have that I love. Wrong Again means one thing throughout the song, and then has a different meaning at the end. She goes through the song saying she thought he was the one, and how wrong she was. Then she ends up singing, "It seemed to me the pain would last, my chance for happiness had passed, and nothing waited 'round the bend, I was sure I'd never find someone to heal the damage you had done, and my poor heart would never end. Wrong again." Good stuff. No way Martina would end the song with the woman as the victim.
6. Keeping My Distance-A mid tempo song, very pleasant. Nice change from the serious mood set from the previous song.
7. Still Holding On (w/Clint Black)-This too was a single, but didn't make the Greatest Hits. Just as well, because to me, this is the weak link on the album. And yes, it's mostly because of Clint. Martina saves it, of course, but it's a not so good song on an otherwise great album.
8. Whatever You Say-The good thing is that last song is followed by her best song EVER. I absolutely LOVE this song. Although I didn't get to see it myself, she did this at I believe the 99 ACM's and when Faith Hill went up to accept an award right after it, she spent part of her speech talking about how Martina's performance blew her away and humbled her. Also said she was her favorite singer. I love the beginning of this, the guitar work sounds more like a rock song. Although Ken will hate me saying this, the way this song flows reminds me of Alanis Morrisette's Right Through You. Basically, I love the buildup of each line of the refrain. I have never heard singing like this in my life. She blows me away. And live performances of it-forget it. Took me awhile to warm up, and this will make a HUGE jump on the INSANE list. This hit number 2 on the charts.
9. I Won't Close Me Eyes-After the intensity of track 8, this one slows things down quite a bit. Basically a song about leaving someone alone when they need their space. Something I was never good at.
10. I Don't Want to See You Again-NOT the Peter and Gordon song. Much more uptempo than that song. Only Martina could sound this happy singing those words!
11. Some Say I'm Running-Here is a rare song where Martina shows some vulnerability as she says she is falling back to the person she is singing to. This is another slowy.
12. Here in My Heart-My second fave on the album. Very upbeat song, very cool music to it. And when she sings the word "Heart" near the end, you could cook a pizza in the time she holds the note.
13. One Day You Will-Another ballad (yes there are quite a few, but they're GOOD), this time Martina singing confidentally that some day this guy will need her and come back to her. Not much music on this one too, just that golden voice.
14. Valentine (with guest artist, Jim Brickman)-that is how the song is always listed. Brickman is a classical style pianist. Of course, the piano is featured almost as much as Martina on this one. Apparently this was released twice as a single to country radio. I BELIEVE it went to number one on the adult contemporary charts. A staple of lite rock stations. Martina herself calls it a "sappy ballad". But there is something about the music and her singing that usually chokes me up when I hear it.
So there you have it. I hope I gave good enough descriptions of the songs, I always feel like I don't really say anything. But this is truly the place to start for Martina, other than her greatest hits disc. Check it out!
And don't forget her new album is out today!!!
So in honor of the new release by the reigning CMA, AMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, today I am reviewing her best and most successful CD, 1997's Evolution.
Martina McBride
Evolution
1997
1. I'm Little But I'm Loud-This first selection, under a minute long, is a recording from 1973, when Martina was 7 years old. I defy any child prodigy to out do this performance. Very cute recording.
2. Happy Girl-One of a handful of singles on the album This peaked at number 2 on the charts. Martina herself first thought this would be a "fluff" song when she read the title. But upon listening to the lyrics, she realized it was about the strength a woman takes to just be herself and not afraid. (I really get in touch with my feminine side listening to Martina, don't I?
) One of the more upbeat tunes on the album.3. Be That Way-Powerful song about how two people in a strong enough relationship can get through anything. Only Martina can give the word "yell" four syllables and make it sound good!
4. A Broken Wing-This song is just as much a gospel song as it is a country song. In fact, there is a choir on the background of the refrain. Another message song, this time about a woman who overcame emotional abuse from her husband. This is one of Martina's top five best vocal performance's ever and a number one hit for her.
5. Wrong Again-A second number one song in a row. Very basic song, not a lot of music overpowering on this one. This song has a trait that many country songs have that I love. Wrong Again means one thing throughout the song, and then has a different meaning at the end. She goes through the song saying she thought he was the one, and how wrong she was. Then she ends up singing, "It seemed to me the pain would last, my chance for happiness had passed, and nothing waited 'round the bend, I was sure I'd never find someone to heal the damage you had done, and my poor heart would never end. Wrong again." Good stuff. No way Martina would end the song with the woman as the victim.
6. Keeping My Distance-A mid tempo song, very pleasant. Nice change from the serious mood set from the previous song.
7. Still Holding On (w/Clint Black)-This too was a single, but didn't make the Greatest Hits. Just as well, because to me, this is the weak link on the album. And yes, it's mostly because of Clint. Martina saves it, of course, but it's a not so good song on an otherwise great album.
8. Whatever You Say-The good thing is that last song is followed by her best song EVER. I absolutely LOVE this song. Although I didn't get to see it myself, she did this at I believe the 99 ACM's and when Faith Hill went up to accept an award right after it, she spent part of her speech talking about how Martina's performance blew her away and humbled her. Also said she was her favorite singer. I love the beginning of this, the guitar work sounds more like a rock song. Although Ken will hate me saying this, the way this song flows reminds me of Alanis Morrisette's Right Through You. Basically, I love the buildup of each line of the refrain. I have never heard singing like this in my life. She blows me away. And live performances of it-forget it. Took me awhile to warm up, and this will make a HUGE jump on the INSANE list. This hit number 2 on the charts.
9. I Won't Close Me Eyes-After the intensity of track 8, this one slows things down quite a bit. Basically a song about leaving someone alone when they need their space. Something I was never good at.
10. I Don't Want to See You Again-NOT the Peter and Gordon song. Much more uptempo than that song. Only Martina could sound this happy singing those words!
11. Some Say I'm Running-Here is a rare song where Martina shows some vulnerability as she says she is falling back to the person she is singing to. This is another slowy.
12. Here in My Heart-My second fave on the album. Very upbeat song, very cool music to it. And when she sings the word "Heart" near the end, you could cook a pizza in the time she holds the note.
13. One Day You Will-Another ballad (yes there are quite a few, but they're GOOD), this time Martina singing confidentally that some day this guy will need her and come back to her. Not much music on this one too, just that golden voice.
14. Valentine (with guest artist, Jim Brickman)-that is how the song is always listed. Brickman is a classical style pianist. Of course, the piano is featured almost as much as Martina on this one. Apparently this was released twice as a single to country radio. I BELIEVE it went to number one on the adult contemporary charts. A staple of lite rock stations. Martina herself calls it a "sappy ballad". But there is something about the music and her singing that usually chokes me up when I hear it.
So there you have it. I hope I gave good enough descriptions of the songs, I always feel like I don't really say anything. But this is truly the place to start for Martina, other than her greatest hits disc. Check it out!
And don't forget her new album is out today!!!
. Great CD! 
I mentioned to you awhile back that I borrowed the disc and made a copy of it . Some of my favorite Martina tunes are included on this album.
