LeAnn Rimes Album: “Unchained Melody: The Early Years”

Description :

Personnel: LeAnn Rimes (vocals); Johnny Mulhair (acoustic, electric & steel guitars); Jerry Matheny (electric guitar); Milo Deering (steel guitar); Chuck Rippey (fiddle); Whitney Mulhair (flute); Jimmy Kelly, Kelly Glenn, Mike Mclain (keyboards); Paul Goad (keyboards, bass); Bob Smith, Curtis Randall (bass); Brad Billingsley, Fred Gleber (drums); Ray Carl (harmonics); Crista Carnes, Kayla Powell, Lisa Criss, Joy Mckay, Perry Coleman (background vocals). <p>Engineers: Johnny Mulhair, Mike Mclain, Greg Hunt. <p>Recorded at Norman Petty Studios, Clovis, New Mexico; Mclain Studios, Dallas, Texas; Rosewood Studios, Tyler, Texas. Includes liner notes by LeAnn Rimes. <p>One might assume that this 14-year-old Nashville phenomenon's EARLY YEARS would consist of recordings obtained from her mother's womb, but in fact LeAnn Rimes has been recording professionally since she was 11, when she made a regionally-distributed LP called AFTER ALL. The selections here, a group of "favorite songs" recorded before the release of her blockbuster BLUE (which made her a multi-platinum star at 13), find the singer in fine voice, full of the same self-possession and vocal ability that informs the material on BLUE. <p>The 1930s chestnut "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" re-affirms Rimes' fondness for tradition and showcases her impressive yodeling abilities (let's see Garth try that). Elsewhere she ventures further afield, covering the Beatles ("Yesterday") and Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"). Wherever the song takes Rimes, though, the one constant is the poise and character she brings to her singing. Whether she's updating Bill Monroe's classic "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" or neo-Nashville pop like "River Of Love," the little lady with the big voice proves she can make her presence felt in any context.

LeAnn Rimes is capable of better works.

For those who are fortunate to have th "All That" album, then maybe this one isn't good, and certainly for others who don't have "All That", it isn't that good.

LeAnn re-recorded most of the tracks she did for "All That". Her yodelling is good in "I Want to Be A Cowboys Sweetheart", the acapella portion of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and the song itself is fabulous, the song she wrote "Share My Love" is a great ballad that is fast and catchy. In "Broken Wing", she sings beautifully and that rendition is extremely heartfelt. I didn't like "I Will Always Love You" and "Yesterday". They are classics that she should have left out. They are good songs but they seemed out of place in this album. "Unchained Melody", the Grand Finalé is performed excellently.

This album is a good one, but isn't her best.

Considering that Rimes cut her first album at 11, and reached country music stardom at 13, the notion of "early years" is a bit difficult to grasp. Featured on this disc are reworked versions of her first release, recorded just before her major label debut, "Blue," conquered the charts. This prenatal offering showcases a polished amateur with tremendous promise. Rimes voice is powerful, though often uncontrolled, and her phrasing shows a preternatural maturity.

Covers of Patsy Montana's "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and Joyce Harrison's "Sure Thing" benefit from Rimes retro-country singing style. While versions of Dolly Parton's (by way of Whitney Houston's) "I Will Always Love You," the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody," and The Beatles' "Yesterday" find Rimes out of her element stylistically, and out of her depth emotionally.

Perhaps this release was a rushed-to-the-stores cash-in on Rimes' extraordinary popularity, but her fans will find it an interesting peek into the formation of a very young star.

The release of Rimes' second album, Unchained Melody - The Early Years, came as a shock to many. The title of the album itself was ludicrous, after all, wasn't she living those exact years?. Surprisingly enough, this album presented Rimes with natural young talent as opposed to a little girl with a exceptional voice. The way Rimes rolls her voice around the good old songs proved a growing talent that could only get better with years.

4 stars... Always Mirren.