Jo Dee Messina Album: “I'm Alright”

I admit it, I own three copies of Jo Dee Messina's sophomore CD I'm Alright. I leave one copy in my car, another at home and the third at work. So pretty much no matter where I am during the day, Jo Dee is playing. It makes my commute so much quicker when I am imagining myself in a "Silver Thunderbird". Jo Dee has a message in "Even God Must Get the Blues", which is my fave cut, I tear up nearly every time I hear it. The message is also clear in "Stand Beside Me", because "I'm not looking for a fantasy, I want a man who stands beside me". "Because You Love Me" is a great, great ballad. Jo Dee co-wrote "No Time for Tears". I once heard Jo Dee call it an anthem album, because women were telling her that they adopted certain songs as their anthems. I like to call it my summer CD, because I like to roll all of my windows down and just crank it up. "I'm Alright", "Lesson in Leavin'", "Bye Bye", "I Know a Heartache", and "Cover Me" are all upbeat, catchy, very singable songs. When I listen to Jo Dee's music, I always have a smile on my face. I can't help it, it is GREAT stuff. This CD is a must own!

Jo Dee Messina followed up her successful 1996 debut with an even better album, 1998's I'M ALRIGHT. The album I believe to be filled with songs showing a strong woman living in the 90's. The songs range from either knowing you'll survive heartache (Bye Bye, I Know A Heartache, No Time For Tears), to surrendering (Cover Me, Because You Love Me), to affirming one's self (I'm Alright, Stand Beside Me), and more. The album was a large success, the album's first three singles (Bye Bye, I'm Alright, Stand Beside Me) all hit #1. Jo Dee covers the Dottie West hit Lesson in Leavin' which suits Jo Dee's personality perfectly, that was also a hit, but broke the chain of #1's. Because You Love Me was a very mild hit, deserved more attention. The album is a very strong sophomore effort, and should satisfy most country fans.

Being someone that only dabbled in country tunes that crossed over to the pop charts, I never really thought about adding Country music to my ever growing, diverse collection of cds but...Jo Dee Messina has changed that for good!!! I heard "Bye Bye" while having a drink at a local pub and HAD to find out who sang that song...I couldn't stop tapping my feet and feeling good while this song was playing!! Once I found the song, I had to buy her cd and have NO regrets. This cd has it all...great diversity, great tunes and a great vocalist. I already know that her tune "Because You Love Me" will be one of my wedding songs. My doors are now forever open to country music..thanks Jo Dee...you're AWESOME!!!

Im Alright is the long awaited sophmore release from Jo Dee Messina, who flew onto the country scene in 1996 with Heads Carolina Tails California, Your Not In Kansas Anymore, Do You Wanna Make Something Of It, etc. She made a big comeback and had a lot of success with this album. The first single Bye Bye flew to #1, then the second single Im Alright followed suit and hit #1 as well, as did the third single Stand Beside Me. The fourth single, a cover of the Dottie West song Lesson In Leavin, peaked at #2, just barely missing #1. So she had three consecutive #1 songs with this album. The fifth single Because You Love Me didnt fare as well, but is just as memorable as the others. Other mentionable tracks include the tearful Even God Must Get The Blues, the fun No Time For Tears and Silver Thunderbird, and I Know A Heartache and Cover Me, all songs on this album are excellent, there is not one bad song. This is a must have if you love country, because there is talent here. Also check out her newest album Burn, which is good too.

Ms. Messina is a tremendous talent and something about her work seems so sincere. You really feel like the album was put together to entertain the listener rather than to just make money. "Stand Beside Me" and "Because You Love Me" are just awesome songs, and this album has a total of five or six hits on it. You have to get both of her albums if you haven't already. She should be on the level of Martina, Faith, and Shania before long.