Disco de Reba McEntire: “Reba”

This album is a dividing point for a lot of Reba fans. Prior to this one, Reba had been in the middle of a very traditional country sound. During her more traditional era, she recorded songs such as "How Blue," "Somebody Should Leave," "Whoever's in New England," "The Last One to Know," "What Am I Going to Do About You," and "One Promise Too Late."

This album is definitely a departure from those sounds, and marked the beginning of a more pop-country era for Reba's music. If you like the singles - "Sunday Kind of Love," "I Know How He Feels," and "New Fool at an Old Game," you'll like the album, because they represent the type of music found on the album well.

This CD from the country music diva Reba McEntire is an outstanding CD which was the CD that crossed her over to pop music and younger audiences. From the first track "So, So, So Long" to "Everytime You Touch Her" are superb. The best song on the CD is the single and a tear jerker "I Know How He Feels." It is about a man she loves and it tears her up because he is with another woman and Reba loves him so much and knows all of his ways and knows how he feels. "New Fool At An Old Game" is another single and another tear jerker on the CD. She falls in love again and it is new to her but it is the same old thing happening. "Sunday Kind Of Love" is the 3rd single and by the way the music sounds it is in the 40's. The video is set in the 40's also. A man comes home from war to surprise his family. Another good song on the CD is "You're The One I Dream About." It could have been a single real easily. A very slow song about a woman who dreams about another man that she loves when she falls asleep. Every song on this CD is very outstanding. A very good CD for any Reba fan.

This CD marked the end of Reba's traditional phase which was a sad day for country music. Everything she has done since then has missed the mark in my book. "So, So Long", the first cut has a terrible melody. "Do RIght by Me" sounds like it came out of the 1960s girl group. "I'm A New Fool" is o.k. "Sunday Kind of Love" just downright leaves me quesy. "And Still" is borring!! The rest ...I won't even mention here. Sadly, this CD was just the beginning of more lackluster CDs to come from this talented lady.

Reba branched out on this album to lend her voice to a new sound. Less country, and more cross-over, this album is almost mellow and flows gracefully from one song to the next. It definetely creates a mood and contains excellent songwriting. Reba vocals are highlighted most on the torch-song and first single, "Sunday Kind Of Love." The beautiful "I Know How He Feels," was the second single and found its way to the top of the charts. The absolute best song on the album though is the very simple guitar/vocal of "Everytime You Touch Her." Other highlights include "Wish I Were Only Lonely," "Do Right By Me," and "Silly Me." Reba's version of Aretha Franklin's "Respect," which has become a stage favorite, is here but the studio version lacks the energy Reba brings to it on stage and is really the only low point on the album.

Although I often see people say that Reba took a turn for the worse on this album, I have to say this was one of the most impressive albums of hers that I've seen in a while. Not only does she go for a more pop-country sound, but she does it with the same grace and style that you frequently see on many of her other albums, as well as showing off that voice of hers that has come to be one one of the best-known voices in modern-day country music. Each song has its own unique sound, from the somber (and almost haunting) guitar playing in "Every Time You Touch Her" to the very beautiful #1 hits "New Fool At An Old Game" and "I Know How He Feels". One has to wonder how these gems did not find their way onto her second greatest hits, as they showcase just how awesome Reba could do with whatever song she was given.

Other great songs are my personal favorite, the jazz-sounding "Wish I Were Only Lonely", as well as the hit "Sunday Kind Of Love" and the very impressive "Silly Me". I felt that "Respect" rather lacked the energy that Reba gave it in tour, but I loved it anyways. All in all, great writing, absolutely knock-out singing, and a wonderful new sound combine to make this one impressive buy. Well worth the money.