CD Reviews- Reba McEntire- Keep On Loving You

The Background:

One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba McEntire has sold over 55 million albums worldwide and her last 13 studio albums have all achieved platinum-plus status. The two-time GRAMMY Award winner is also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress. McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008, reuniting the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co. Her name remains a familiar sight atop the charts, now nestled among a generation of artists who have been strongly influenced by her music and career path. “Strange,” the sassy debut single from her new album Keep On Loving You, is the fastest-rising solo single and highest solo chart debut of her 33-year career. Reba seems focused on what lies ahead in her music career. “It’s harder to maintain than it is to get there, so to maintain is one thing, but to kick it in the butt again and go on forward is another,” she says. “I am very competitive; that is the driving force behind my career- curiosity and competitiveness. We’re always looking ahead, seeing what more we can do.”

The Review:

With a voice so evocatively emotive and positively recognizable, I’d be willing to hear Reba McEntire attempt to sing a phone book. Luckily for her career, her new label has given her something much better than that to work with. Over her history, some of her greatest hits and songs she’s been most recognized for have allowed her redheaded sass and a bit of lyrical controversy stand through. Tunes like “Fancy” and “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia” come to mind. On Keep On Loving You, she’s kept that tradition alive with her best track, “Maggie Creek Road”- a great story song about a mom taking things into her own hands when her daughter is caught being taken advantage of by her boyfriend. Other highlights include a song called “Pink Guitar,” a fun chick country rocker about “Johnny Cash with a pink guitar.” It’s a foot tappin’ good time and a bit autobiographical, with lyrics on being an Opry member and a plaque hanging in the Country Music Hall Of Fame next to Minnie Pearl. (Perhaps someday for Mrs. McEntire.) “I’ll Have What She’s Having” is a tribute to the 50’s, a sassy swing tune about coveting another man in a restaurant. She even lets out her inner-funk out with the R&B flavored “Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Loving You” and “I Want A Cowboy.” When McEntire is allowed to be spunky, she’s at her best on this album. Misses? “She’s Turning 50,” while co-written by McEntire herself, isn’t as reflective on her own experience as I would like. Positively speaking, however, it is one of the few releases speaking of maturity in country music, especially with the current CMT teen invasion. The balance of the songs are good, perhaps not great. But for this listener, it’s truly great to hear a legend in the industry back on her game again. It’s been far too long since she was in the studio and although I’d have it in my collection, much better than that yellow pages idea.

Sounds Like:

Classic Reba In Every Way

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):

Just When I Thought I Stopped Loving You
Pink Guitar
Eight Crazy Hours (In The Story Of Love)
Maggie Creek Road
I’ll Have What She’s Having

The Verdict:

Three & A Half Stars Out Of Five