Disco de Martina McBride: “Wild Angels”

McBride has always had a stupendous set of pipes, but like many gifted singers, she didn't always know what to do with them. Previously, and afterwards, she mixed spot-on emotional outpourings (e.g., "Independence Day" from 'The Way That I Am' LP) with songs that just left her singing loud.

Not so with this release. Together with her co-producers she's picked an album full of stellar songs from some of country music's greatest songwriting talents. And with her band, and her big set of pipes, she blows through this material like a wildfire.

Two of Matraca Berg's finest ("Wild Angels" and "Cry on the Shoulder of the Road"), a Delbert McClinton classic ("Two More Bottles of Wine"), and a host of hope, heartbreak and personal growth (the moving "You've Been Driving All the Time") combine to form the best album of songs that McBride's likely to ever collect. Even ballads like Pat Bunch's "Born to Give My Love to You" are filled with McBride's wonderful power.

Perhaps even more noteworthy is the way in which the album makes itself friendly to the relatively non-country tastes of commercial country radio, while at the same time hanging on to much of the music's roots. There's plenty of steel, fiddle and mandolin, and the lyrical sentiment, from "Phones Are Ringin' All Over Town" to "Swingin' Doors" is dead-on country. It's a supreme example of where Modern Country might have gone, had it not quickly reduced itself to cloying Top-40 fodder.

Though her followup would go over the adult contemporary edge, playing on her powerful vocals instead of her ability to communicate powerful emotion, for at least a few moments, this one struck the perfect balance.

Only two of the tracks here - the title track and Safe in the arms of love - were included on Martina's Greatest hits collection, but this is a fine collection of songs, so many of which sound like they ought to have been hits.

Martina McBride has recorded many fine albums, but I find this one particularly appealing is the use of traditional instruments (steel guitar, mandolin, fiddle) together will all the instruments normally to be found on nineties pop-country albums. Listening to this, nobody can be in any doubt that Martina is, at heart, a country singer, even if her music has plenty of pop mixed in with it.

The only oldie on here is Two more bottles of wine, a song written and first recorded by Delbert McClinton but which became better known after it was covered by Emmylou Harris. Emmylou's version first appeared on Quarter moon in a ten-cent town and was also a major country hit for her. Because of that, it has appeared on several Emmylou compilations.

All the other songs are originals and the general feel of the album on first listen is upbeat, partly because the songs are so catchy that any sadness is not always obvious from the music. There are sad songs here, notably Phones are ringing all over town and A great disguise. A song that sounds as if it ought to be sad, All the things we've never done, is actually not at all sad, but reflective and looking forward to a bright future.

You've been driving all the time is about female domination, but as is so often the case with such songs, it is immediately followed by a song expressing a woman's need for a man - in this case, Born to give my love to you.

This is a very entertaining album that clearly demonstrates why Martina is one of the finest and most successful pop-country singers around. Now re-issued at a budget price, it's even better value for money.

I have all of Martina's CD's and have been a fan since her first singel - "The Time has Come" and with every album her voice just continues to amaze me. I can just put them on and listen to them over and over. With each listen I just appreciate them more and more. Each song just reminds me of something or sometime in my life and you can feel the emotion in her voice. Sometimes she can just tug on your emotions. Even if you don't listen to country music, you can appreciate the real talent Martina has.

Martina's third album is simply excellent. I love it from start to finish. This is how I rate each song... (5 stars = Best)

Wild Angels- my niece's favorite Martina song (5 stars)

Safe in the Arms of Love- pure ear candy, awesome beat (5 stars)

Phones are Ringing All Over Town- a very intersting ballad, yet a sad one (5 stars)

A Great Disguise- takes a few listens to get used to but in the end I like it (5 stars)

Swinging Doors- good song, should have climbed higher on the charts (5 stars)

All the Things We've Never Done- great ballad (5 stars)

Two More Bottles of Wine- now this is real country in its traditional forms! (5 stars)

Cry on the Shoulder of the Road- great song, another real country song, my favorite Matraca Berg song. (5 stars)

You've Been Driving All the Time- a fun song (5 stars)

Born to Give My Love to You- my favorite song on Wild Angels album. Hands Down. I love it sooooo much!!! A great lullaby. (6 stars)

Beyond the Blue- a nice song, but a short one (5 stars)

Rush out and buy this album today!!! A perfect addition to your music collection whether it is country or any style. Martina is AMAZING!

I've listened to Martina McBride's "Wild Angels," over and over and over again. This album is great, and sticks true to its country roots. It includes both popular country and traditional country songs. "Phones are Ringin' All Over Town," "A Great Disguise," "Swingin' Doors," "Two More Bottles of Wine," "Cry on the Shoulder of the Road," "You've Been Driving All the Time" and "Beyond the Blue" are PURELY country tunes!!! Two very beautiful ballads are included in this collection: "Born to Give My Love to You" and "All the Things We've Never Done." "Wild Angels" is a great song and after hearing "Safe in the Arms of Love," I am in total awe of her breathtaking voice!!! You will not, I repeat you will not, be disappointed with this album. It's a country masterpiece!