Patty Loveless - Sleepless Nights
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.98 You Save: $7.00 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.93 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Sleepless Nights
Free Music Review: Loveless' Memorable "Nights"
Hit: 5 Stars
Prime Cuts: The Pain of Loving You, Why Baby Why, Sleepless Nights
To tackle the classic songs of country music's copious canon is a parlous exercise. In lesser hands, such a venture could misfire. Loveless, on the other hand, succeeds in bringing these sonic pillars of country music back to life with her creative yet reverent interpretations. After a list of 500 songs, Loveless and hubby cum producer Emory Gordy Jr. have narrowed down to these 14 lucky entries. And they certainly cover the whole gamut from the oft-covered Ray Price's "Crazy Arms," Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass," and George Jones' "Why Baby Why" to the more obscure Osborne Brothers' "The Pain of Loving" and Gram Parsons' "That's All It Took." Most gorgeous though is that Gordy Jr. has allowed Loveless to belt out these songs with an Appalachian distilled immediacy with equal doses of controlled fury as well as passionate empathy. Never has Loveless sounded better.
The disc begins on an ominous note with the lead single "Why Baby Why." In keeping with most of Loveless' first single from each of her albums (think "Try to Think of Elvis" and "Lovin' All Night"), Loveless gives this love gone wrong George Jones classic a feminine sensibility augmented with attitude and verve. Fans of a traditional persuasion will indulge in another Jones' number "He Thinks I Still Care" where Loveless teases out heartbreak's entanglements with the right measures of mournful steel and fiddles. Another permutation of the broken heart is the Osborne Brothers' "Pain of Loving You," a track revived in the 80s by the trio (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt). Of interest is that the accompanying Gospel-like harmonies on Loveless' rendition bears a striking similarity with that of the Trios'. To show that Loveless does not just slavishly adhere to the original renditions, she demonstrates her indomitable creativity by decelerating Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" to a more languid pace slowly lavishing in the euphoria of love's embrace.
Bringing her friends from high places Vince Gill's distinguished tenor adds a layer of lonesome to the plaintive title cut "Sleepless Night," a gorgeous old-fashioned sounding ballad. While former MCA artist Jedd Hughes helps Loveless clears the dust off the almost forgotten "That's All It Took" making it sparkle like it's a newly written gem. A listen to "Color of the Blues" reveals why some of these classics are so endearing. No one today writes with such poetic acumen as on this George Jones standard: "Up above me are the skies like the twinkle in your eyes/These things are the colors of the blues/In the mail your letter came the ink and paper looked the same/
Blue must be the color of the blues." Most tantalizing is Loveless' tortured read of Hank Sr.'s "Cold Cold Heart," here Loveless demonstrates why she's still the mountain soul siren that few can resist.
Though it is a common venture for most established artist to record an album of classics, few can pass muster. Few can strike a balance, as Loveless can, to treat these chestnuts with reverence, yet bold enough to present them in a way as if they were the first to cut them. When Loveless sings of these stories of heartbreak, broken homes, cheating and love found, she sings them as if she were singing about her own life. Invested with personality, these paeans receive face-lifts that are undeniably fresh, engaging and heartfelt. Loveless has indeed made a classic album of these classics.
Free Music Review: Pure Country & Rock 'N Roll - Ultimate Patty Loveless!
Hit: 5 Stars
Like many other die hard Patty Loveless fans, I too had grown weary of her last few albums, as her music had become schmaltzy, monotonous, lifeless, totally uninspiring, the fire was gone and she seemed stuck in a rut for almost a decade, except for her superb "Mountain Soul" & its Christmas season companion Cds. I didn't even bother to buy "Dreamin' My Dreams", as I'd given up on her - not good, considering I couldn't get enough Patty Loveless and have every Cd she's issued since her debut in 1987. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS has restored my faith in her and also returns PATTY LOVELESS back to the top of Country Music. Too many Country gals are actually singing country tinged heavy Pop tunes these days, but, Patty reigns as Queen of Country. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS sets an appropriate gaging tool and blueprint album for all wanna-be C&W artists to follow! If they're going to call their product "Country", then make it pure COUNTRY, and this album sets a perfect example. Personally, I like a variety of music, growing up with a steady diet of classic Top 40 Pop-Rock-Soul, but, when I want to hear Country music, I prefer it like this album, add some Gary Stewart, Delbert McClinton, etc. Loveless has reinvented herself through her superb song choices on this entire album, recreating gem after impeccable gem, making each classic composition her own. Her interpretations seem to erase the memory of the originals, and they become brand new again. Forget the old versions - these are new again!!! Her vocals are top form, her phrasing and pitch perfect singing are a dream listening experience. Loveless is blessed with one of the most gorgeous, irresistable and purest of Country voices you'll ever hear. A gifted vocalist with an instrument full of passion, emotional depth, Loveless creates unforgettable three minute mini-dramas with the simplest lyrics and just a basic band. A big, beautiful voice, with many hypnotic shades and pretty colors all over and in it! The ballads on here burn from sizzling to steamy and treading deep water at the same time. The harmonies between Loveless and her background singers, duet partners, are to die for, beautifully executed. The title track finally, after decades, sounds like a radio friendly Top 10 hit. Selection after selection, the whole of SLEEPLESS NIGHTS' tunes with their weepy steel guitars, country fiddles, steady back beat, and lead vocalist create a perfect album. Loveless displays renewed inspiration and a fiery, robust resonance in her vibrant vocals. These versions sound more vigorous than the originals did. She's never been afraid to rock, and she cuts loose with her signature rockin' attitude on some of these tunes with gusto. The opening track, first single, "WHY BABY WHY" is a trademark Loveless barnyard stomper, fiery vocals and drivin' fiddles, a direct descendent, and influenced by Linda Ronstadt's 1973 "Silver Threads & Golden Needles" - it rocks! This is the PATTY LOVELESS we all came to love and behold! This is the Patty we affectionately remember and yearned to hear again. She's back in top form and a very welcome sound and sight to these ears and eyes. Thank you Patty, for living up to our expectations with this great album!Free Music Review: Excellent covers of true gems
Hit: 5 Stars
Patty's delivery and husband Emory Gordy's productions are what set her music apart from the herd: simple, perfect, just enough to deliver the emotion of the song, but never overdoing it or showing off. She has always known it's simplicity that makes a song great, but it takes enormous talent to pull that off. Patty, more than anyone, has that talent. These songs are delivered perfectly (and tend to be 2.5 minutes, just like in the old days). Her voice has consistently been amazing, but her choice of songs has not been far behind. She has always had excellent taste, and that is certainly evident here. These songs are the real thing from 30, 40 years ago, crystal clear and fresh but true to their roots. Even the ones I didn't know bring back the days of my youth, driving around the back roads and listening to the radio. The songs are not just old standards everyone knows; Patty has also chosen some slightly more obscure gems that were a wonderful discovery for me. I didn't know "There Stands the Glass," but it's my favorite on this album. Such a perfect song from that time: drinking song, catchy melody, wry humor, perfect pedal steel/fiddle break. It brings back a whole era (and puts a smile on your face) just to listen to it.
Patty's solo a cappella finish of "That's All it Took" makes the the hairs on my neck stand straight up: beautiful, powerful voice and pure raw emotion, as only Patty can do.
If there was any disappointment, it was the arrangement on "I've Forgotten More..." which to me undermined the song. I agree with Holly Gleason that Jann Browne (with great harmony from Wanda Jackson) really nailed this song in the early 1990s on her little known but totally excellent album (Tell Me Why). Patty's singing here is ok, but the arrangement is what I would call country-schmaltz-waltz, something there was plenty of in those days, but to my mind doesn't need to be revived. Especially when the song has such great melancholy potential-- which Patty excels at. This could have been great; but it is only so-so (IMHO).
Others may not agree with me, though, and apart from that every single song is good (and there are 14 of them). Dolly Parton's "The Pain of Loving You" is wonderful, and as usual, Patty ends the album with a beautiful, moving song -- Hank Williams's "Cold, Cold Heart."
For over two decades now, Patty has been keeping it true when so many others have been offering forgettable fluff. She's done Top 40, bluegrass, traditional; she's better at barroom rockers than anybody ever, even while she is the best in the business at melancholy laments; and in the process of all that, she has introduced listeners to some great underappreciated songwriters. She is finally being recognized for the truly unique musician that she is - every bit as talented and special in her way as Emmy Lou Harris or Steve Earle are in theirs. This is one more excellent entry in what is at this point an amazingly high quality body of work.
Free Music Review: Patty..the Last of the True Country Singers!
Hit: 5 Stars
Make no mistake...Loveless is the real thing!! I am never disappointed when I buy her records. After a three year wait, we have a new Patty Product which is absolutely sensational and which shows that she truly is the last of the true country singers!! No one can touch her....
Devoid of pretention or artifice (like Reba, Faith, McBride, Yearwood and any other female singer who "claim" they're country), Patty's new release ranks among the best she's ever done. These are true country classics, clean, uncluttered, crisp and beautiful.
As the liner notes state, "In a world growing faster, quicker, cheaper and more superficial, it is digging down where we find relief. It's not always neat and tidy, but it is profound. For Patty Loveless, that's what the music that forged her essence deserves...and here, she realizes the roots of her raising in unabashed fashion."
I love Patty because she never compromised or sold out like the rest of the female singers today. She is to be admired for sticking to her roots! Just listen to any track on this "collection of jewels" and you'll understand...From the beginning, rollicking, foot-stomping cut, "Why Baby Why", followed by the haunting "The Pain of Loving You" she jumps into the George JOnes standard "He Thinks I Still Care" and makes it her very own! "Sleepless Nights" with her longtime friend and duet-partner, Vince Gill, is a wonderment of awe!
She takes a new spin on "Crazy Arms" making it a waltz instead of a shuffle...nice and fresh! She sounds achingly vulnerable in Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass" and her work on "That's All it Took" is remarkable.
"Color of the Blues" is Patty at her very best and when she starts in on "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know About Him" one can picture the "Davis Sisters" in heaven smiling. "Next in Line", "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and There Goes My Everything" are everything one could ask for in traditionalism but the two best cuts on the CD are "Don't Let Me Cross Over" and Hank William's classic "Cold, Cold, Heart". Both display Patty's ability to make these classics their own and defy the listener to have their heart untouched.
This is a project that will never be heard in today's radio market that caters to image and bubblegum. But it deserves to be heard because it reminds one of what used to be and what can be again. Thank you Patty for never selling out and for carrying the banner for real and true country music!!
Free Music Review: Back where it all began
Hit: 5 Stars
This new album by Patty Loveless follows the road she has been on since "Mountain Soul", finding new mixes on the traditional mountain side of Patty's life. She had planned to do a CD for her older sister Dot and this was it. Her sister, she always considered to be a better singer and always kept her close by, then a few years back, she died. Her and Emory went thru 500 songs to get down to the 14 on the disc. On the road, she changed labels too, going with Saguaro Road Records. This is an interesting label, interested in rootsy singers, attracting the likes of Rebecca Lynn Howard and Joan Osborne, besides Patty.
Emory produced the disc, and went with half old school studio musicians and half contemporary types like Biff watson, Al Perkins, and Vince Gill on background vocals.
As for Old school ,there is Pig Robbins, Pete Finnie, Harold Bradley and Jedd Hughes. The result is what is called "traditional country soul", the records sub title.
"Sleepless Nights"(Bryant/Bryant) An awesome sweet ballad with Vince Gill, the title track. There is some really pretty pedal steel here.
"Crazy Arms"(Mooney/Seals) I love this song, heard Linda Ronstadt do a very similar version of it in '73. This is a timeless song.
"Color of the Blues" (Jones/Williams) has guitarist Guthrie Trapp ,a member of her road band for two years answering her vocals with some sweet understated blues guitar, great track. Patty sounds rejuvenated after going thru some trials of family deaths over the last couple of years.
"Cold, Cold Heart" (Hank Williams) Well, Patty closes this record up with a real classic and she is singing full of emotion with nothing to prove. That is a real comfort level.
Overall, this a gal that probably will not get a lot of radio play for these very well sung picks of songs that she loved when she was growing up, but we get to look a little deeper into the gal who helped make country music what it is today.