Disco de Reba McEntire: “Starting Over”

MANY PEOPLE go into this listening the wonderful stone country Reba that belts out classic hits like "Whoever's In New England" and "How Blue," but, my little chickens, this is not "Starting Over"'s reason for being. This is an album of little things that we call covers; in layman's, remakes of what CAN be any kind of music. We're not talking remakes of only Hank Sr. and Mel Tillis; these are remakes from anywhere that Miss Reba chose.

Reba delivers highlights on the tracks "On My Own" (wonderfully backed by Yearwood, McBride, and amazin' Davis), "You Keep Me Hangin On," and the absolute beauty of Dolly's "Starting Over Again." Some might say I have a soft spot for family songs, but one can't deny the sheer excellence of the title track plus a word.

Nice performances were turned in also on the triste "I Won't Mention It Again," "You're No Good," and Glen Campbell's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix."

Though the good ole boys may not be able to get past the word pop in this album's description, one should rest assured that anything that comes out of the Queen of Country's mouth won't be anything but one word; country!

5 stars.

Critics mostly trashed this superb album. Fans did not support Reba on this album, with "Starting Over" selling only half of what she usually does, which for the last three albums has been 3 million per album. The strengths of this album are "Please Come To Boston", "On My Own", "You're No Good", and "Starting Over Again." However, "Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands" and "You Keep Me Hangin On" are FANTASTIC! Reba released a dance mix version of "You Just Keep Me Hangin' On" and boy would the pop/dance world have a hard time keeping her off the charts with the savvy production that England's group did on it! Congrats Reba for a wonderful album...keep em' coming!

[...] Reba would even dare think she was good enough to top the originals here. She could have at least done better to pick good material. Why she did "On Our Own" (which was a big mistake on all counts and wasn't even a hit for her....her first flop as a single in years as a matter of fact) was a mystery. "You Keep Me Hanging On" leaves me with a desire to let go quickly! She tries [...] "Talking in Your Sleep" but she can never match Crystal Gayle's original version! Nor can she match Dolly's "Starting Over". However I'll give the CD one star because I did like her version of Lee Greenwood's "RIng on Her FInger" better than I ever liked his. I never like him anyhow. This is fluff and I agree Karaoke style singing on most counts!!

I can't give this more than two stars. It is better than a lot of her 90s CDs which I only give one stars to. The CD is ruined by the inclusion of songs like "You Keep Me Hangin On", "You're No Good" and "On My Own" (one of the worst songs in the history of mankind made worse by Reba singing it with Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and Linda Davis). She could easily have left out "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Please Come to Boston". She sounds like she's bored to death singing those. "Talking in Your Sleep" is o.k. but can hardly match the Crystal Gayle classic. "Ring on Her Finger and Time on Her Hands" is also all right. "I Won't Mention It Again" is excellent. Reba doesn't over do and the production is beautiful. The best cut on the CD is "Starting Over" which eclipses Dolly's version. Reba is excellent on this cover. For that I'll give this CD two stars!

Starting Over is a career acheivement for Reba. Its a shame it did not get more recognition. Critics hated it, fans & Reba abandoned it, but why? This is probably some of her best work. It is a song of cover songs, and Reba does them in her own style so they are different than the originals. This was not a collection of new songs, this was to celebrate her 20th anniversary since she started out. You cannot disagree with the fact that Reba has never sounded this great on these songs. Talking In Your Sleep is a tale about the unfaithful lover who is talking to his lover in his sleep. Please Come To Boston is a restless lover's plea to run away and start over somewhere new. On My Own features Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and Linda Davis (just listen to those vocal acrobatics they perform on this one!) I Wont Mention it Again is one of the saddest songs Reba has ever recorded, sung with all of the emotion she can deliver. You're No Good is a cover of the Linda Ronstadt hit, sassy and self assured. Ring On Her Finger (Time On Her Hands) is a song about a wife who is unfaithful to her vows as a result of her spare time. Five Hundred Miles Away From Home is a sad song about moving out on your own, away from your home and family. Starting Over Again was recorded originally by Dolly Parton, Reba does it just as well, in a song about family ties being broken. You Keep Me Hanging On is the obvious pop choice here, which was a big hit for her on club play and dance charts. The closer, By The Time I Get To Pheonix, is about a woman leaving a bad relationship. This album is great, the songs she chose were wonderful, and she sings them all with such passion and emotion, the kind only Reba can deliver. So for all of you who never gave this one a chance, or if you did, give it another, its a great album and I think you will agree it is among her better albums!