CD Reviews- Patty Loveless- Mountain Soul II

The Background:
Inspired by her critically acclaimed and commercial hit album from 2001, Mountain Soul, comes the long-awaited follow up to one of Patty Loveless's best-loved albums. In Mountain Soul II, Patty's Kentucky roots shine through like a breath of fresh air, featuring her crystalline country vocals amid bluegrass-tinged accompaniment. Patty is surrounded by a stellar supporting cast, including country and bluegrass legends Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Al Perkins, and Del and Ronnie McCoury, making Mountain Soul II completely authentic and unlike most anything being released from Nashville today.

The Review:
“We wanted to make the record as if people were actually sitting there and watching it all take place. Not as if we were onstage, but like we were in somebody's living room -- we almost were -- and people were there and we were entertaining them", explains Patty Loveless in an interview back in 2001. Mountain Soul I, and now Mountain Soul II, are musical homecomings for Loveless, a native of eastern Kentucky and a descendant of the coal mines. Patty’s tragically father died of black lung in 1979. As she explains, "There are the three kinds of music [country, bluegrass, and hillbilly] I grew up on, and I really wanted to blend those three for this record, but keep the different kinds different.” As was its processor, the Mountain Soul II songs are a mix of gospel, country, and hillbilly standards, as well as contemporary tunes that time warp their musical heritage. It’s all about stories and historic themes. While the music is entirely different, the recordings reminded me intensely of the Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash American Man albums- particularly the later ones. There was a reality and a rawness to those songs that made them “feel” like they were part of someone’s soul. Thus it is on Mountain Soul II. The songs are all played with acoustic, stringed instruments that highlight the Kentucky twang in Loveless's alto voice. I don’t profess to be an expert on bluegrass. I certainly enjoy the genre, but find it much harder to objectively and critically review. But there are many pieces here to like, however. The highlight for me is the last track, “Diamond In My Crown.” Written and backed vocally by Loveless’s friend Emmylou Harris, the song is worth the price of the CD alone. It’s haunting and vocally damn near perfect and the old Wurlitzer organ sound playing in the background gives it an almost ethereal feel. It would only makes sense that songs that come from someone’s soul would have a heavenly sound to it, now wouldn’t it?

Sounds Like:
Sara Evans voice and the music of Union Station

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Busted
Half Over You
When The Last Curtain Falls
Bramble and the Rose
Diamond In My Crown

The Verdict:
Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five