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gerards irish review Nov 13, 2009
i went to see martina in letterkenny ireland and she was brilliant.when she sang some of these all time classics i was amazed at how she could sing songs by merle haggard johnny ccash,buck owens,loretta lynn, tammy wynette and many more. she sang them beautifully, i had to buy this cd right away.there are 22 all time classics on the extra tracks edition .a must have for all martina fans and classic country fans
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Four bonus tracks not on standard USA edition May 27, 2009
You can take the singer out of the country but you can't take the country out of the singer, so the cliché goes. Martina proves the correctness of that cliché by recording a set of covers of songs that were originally recorded mainly in the sixties and seventies, with a few dating back to the forties and fifties. Fans of these traditional country songs ought to love Martina's versions, because she sticks very closely to the style of the originals, with no attempt to interpret any of the songs differently. The who wonder what Martina brings to these old classics should remember that Martina has an outstanding voice and doesn't need to re-interpret these songs to make them worth hearing again. So although I am very familiar with every one of the songs here (including the four European bonus tracks), I really enjoy hearing Martina sing them. Whether Martina's younger fans will like this album is not for me to say but I expect some will and some won't. Those who do may be tempted to investigate the original singers of these songs.
Martina credits Hank Williams, Ray Price (two songs), Don Gibson, Lynn Anderson, Sammi Smith (two songs), Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith, Charlie Walker, Hank Snow, Buddy Holly, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Jeanne Pruett, Ernest Tubb, Buck Owens and Eddy Arnold as the singers whose versions inspired her own versions of the songs on the eighteen tracks on the American edition of this album.
The two Sammi Smith tracks (Today I started loving you again, Help me make it through the night) were themselves both covers that Sammi had success with where others had either failed or simply released as B-sides. Of course, Sammi should have been a major star in her own right as her interpretations of those songs proved, but her best recordings were for a small label that was unable to capitalize on her talent. Then again, a major label might have ruined her talent as somebody suggested to me.
The Don Gibson classic (I can't stop loving you) is better known via another cover - that by Ray Charles, which became an international number one pop hit - but Martina sticks faithfully to Don's original style. Similarly, one of the Ray Price songs (Heartaches by the number), is best known via a pop cover, in this case Gay Mitchell.
Satin sheets (the Jeanne Pruett classic) has proved popular with female country singers, inspiring covers by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Barbara Fairchild and Loretta Lynn among others. Martina does full justice to the song but my favorite version will forever remain the answer-song version by Hank Williams Junior, which he recorded at a time when he was having marital difficulties. Talking of Dolly, she provides backing vocals on Martina's chosen Johnny Cash classic (I still miss someone) though you have to listen closely to hear Dolly. Now, why didn't Martina include one of Dolly's own songs on the album? Well, maybe she'll get round to recording a Dolly song one day.
With eighteen tracks, the standard American edition represents great value but this European edition includes four bonus tracks (Dreaming my dreams, Cryin' time, Walk on by, Take these chains from my heart). The four bonus tracks are listed on the paper backing, so it is easy to tell the two versions apart, but the Europeans left the booklet inside unchanged, so that only mentions the basic eighteen tracks. Whether these four bonus tracks are worth the extra premium that Americans would have to pay to get them, I can't say. I'm just glad they came as standard in my part of the world. One other track that doesn't appear on either edition, but which was almost certainly recorded at the same time, is Martina's cover of Jeannie C Riley's classic Harper Valley PTA. You'll find it on the Desperate housewives soundtrack.
Really, really good. Feb 02, 2009
These are great, loving, respectful covers. Definitely worth buying the whole thing (with the booklet -- consider the import and the DVD, too). She has done a wonderful job as a producer and a singer. So different from her commercial Nashville sound. Highly recommended.
I listened to the guitar(dobro?)-bass intro to I'll be There about a dozen times. It's a wonderful version. One of several highlights of a great collection.
The booklet really adds to the enjoyment of the project, whether you already know most of these songs or don't know any of them.
The version of Cryin' Time on this import is the best version I ever heard.
Better than Ray or Buck. I don't really like any other version, but I give this one 5 stars. She uses her pop voice, not her country voice.
Walk on By is a nice cheatin' song. I give it 4 stars.
Take These Chains from My Heart is pleasant (verges on monotonous, but that's too strong a condemnation). Doesn't really go anywhere. It's not up the the standard of the rest of the CD. Nice, low-key musicianship. I liked the tinkly piano break the best.
Dreaming My Dreams is very slow, kinda drags for me. Nice, but not my kinda country.
I am glad I have Cryin Time and Walk on By, but I am not sure that they are worth the extra $.
Consider buying a used copy of the "Making of" DVD, which apparently comes with the regular CD at Walmart.
Thanks, Martina. I hope that this is the first of many, many "Timeless" projects. I look forward to giving the "Timeless" boxed set (which I hope to see someday) to a new generation.
timeless by Martina Mc Bride Oct 26, 2008
A wonderful voice - Classic Country Songs covered by Martina. - it`s of one the best CD from Martina McBride -- Best-Nashville Sound , Super Musicians.
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