As much as I have admitted I am not a big country music fan, I
\ncan’t help liking Kathy Mattea.<\/p>\n
Her style of music is an AOR crossover without sounding like
\nshe’s trying to keep her feet planted in both styles of music,
\nsomething I’d be hard-pressed to say about many artists. The
\nsurprising thing is that she has yet to achieve success that other
\nartists like LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood have achieved – and as
\ngood as they are, something seems terribly wrong.<\/p>\n
Take Mattea’s 1994 release
\nWalking Away A Winner<\/i>. I first bought this disc at a garage
\nsale that had nothing but music – hey, $5 for a disc that was a new
\nrelease at the time was enough to make me willing to give it a try.
\nThis album has it all – and really should have been the album that
\nbroke Mattea into superstardom. Why it didn’t, I’ll never know.<\/p>\n
The title track is a prime example of the mastery Mattea has
\nover her music (notwithstanding the fact that Mattea herself wrote
\nnone of these songs). The overall groove of the song makes it feel
\nlike a light rock song, while there are just enough touches that
\ngive it a country twang. Mattea’s voice, as it is on all ten
\nselections, is flawless and enchanting.<\/p>\n
This one song isn’t enough to make you wonder why Mattea isn’t a
\nsuperstar? Then check out “Nobody’s Gonna Rain On Our Parade,”
\nanother song that screams “light rock”. The harmonizing vocals and
\ncatchy chorus are the “giveaways” to my ears – and frankly, this
\nsong could have been a smash hit had someone been willing to give
\nit a chance.<\/p>\n
But
\nWalking Away A Winner<\/i> also has enough touches to make it a
\ncountry album – namely the powerful storytelling locked within.
\n“The Cape” tells of the importance to hold onto our dreams – and
\neven a touch of our childhood innocence – despite what the pundits
\nsay. “Who’s Gonna Know” is a song that has occasionally moved me to
\ntears, a song which stresses the importance of not only hanging
\nonto the memories of loved ones, but passing those memories along
\nto future generations in order to keep these people alive in our
\nhearts. Ka-pow. “The Streets Of Your Town” and “Clown In Your
\nRodeo” probably are the most country-oriented numbers.<\/p>\n
And let’s throw in a touch of feminism while we’re at it –
\n“Maybe She’s Human” is a subtle hint to men that we damn well
\nbetter start appreciating everything the women in our lives do that
\nwe don’t see or take the time to acknowledge. (This lecture coming
\nfrom someone who spends too much time in front of the computer than
\nwith his own wife, by the way… I’m not above admitting
\nfault.)<\/p>\n
Even a country-hater will probably love
\nWalking Away A Winner<\/i> – there’s enough of an
\nadult-contemporary flavor to make you forget where Mattea’s roots
\ntruly lie. But Mattea’s talent – as well as that of her backing
\nband – cast away any prejudice you might have against country
\nmusic, and make this a truly pleasurable listening experience –
\nalbeit a short one, clocking in at well under 40 minutes.<\/p>\n
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