Disco de Tanya Tucker: “T.N.T.”

This is Tanya going full throttle. Granted the album didn't spawn a corral full of hits, it is Tanya's attempt at a crossover to pop music. Her husky, half angel-half devil vocals are in top form. My favorite songs include Lover Goodbye, Heartbreak Hotel, and Brown Eyed Handsome Man. Another great Tanya album, but one that is hard to find, is her follow up to "TNT". It's titled "Tear Me Apart".

Her version of "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" is one of the best Chuck Berry covers ever, it ROCKS! Also love her soulful, rock n' roll version of the classic "Angel from Montgomery." Much better than the overrated Bonnie Raitt's. And when I saw her perform back when she was a teenager, she did "Heartbreak Hotel" and I was amazed at the bluesiness in her voice and that one is included here. Another smokin' cover is Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" which has to be the best, most rockin' arrangement of it I've ever heard. Now if RHINO or someone would re-master and release her masterpiece follow-up, "Tear Me Apart" I'd be ecstatic!

With her hugely successful pop crossover album, Here you come again, Dolly Parton had shown that it was possible for a country singer to appeal to a different set of fans. So it should not have surprised anybody when Tanya also tried changing styles, though in her case it was for more of a rock sound. The LP cover was intended to emphasize the new style but I wonder if it was a mistake. Some of those who enjoyed the cover didn't take the music seriously because of it while others decided that if Tanya needed to pose this way, the music couldn't possibly be any good. In fact, judged purely on its own merit, this is a brilliant rock album that has nothing to do with country music except for the closing track, Texas when I die.

The album contains several interesting covers, including Not fade away (originally a Buddy Holly song but later covered by the Rolling Stones), Angel from Montgomery (the John Prine classic generally associated with Bonnie Raitt), Heartbreak hotel (the Elvis Presley classic) and Brown eyed handsome man (a Chuck Berry song that was also successful for Buddy Holly). I've heard the famous versions of all these songs as well as some other songs and Tanya's versions stand comparison with the best of them. On their own, they prove that Tanya could rock with the best.

The other songs are also excellent. Lover goodbye was co-written by Phil Everly so this is also likely to be a cover. I'm the singer you're the song is definitely an original, being co-written by Tanya (a rarity for her). The river and the wind, If you feel it and It's nice to be with you are all brilliant rock songs that may well be originals though I can't be sure. So those nine songs show you a different side of Tanya - the rock singer.

But the old saying goes - you can take the singer out of the country but you can't take the country out of the singer. To prove it, the final track, written by Ed Bruce, is one of the most traditional country songs that Tanya has ever recorded - the anthemic Texas when I die. On this original version of the song, Merle Haggard gets mentioned (notwithstanding that he is a Californian). When Tanya re-recorded the song, Merle was replaced in the lyrics by Willie Nelson (definitely a Texan). Die-hard country fans with no interest in rock music can find both versions of this song on other compilations so do not need to buy this just for Texas when I die.

This album will not appeal to all country fans - maybe even some Tanya fans won't like it - but I love it. On the other hand, it will appeal to some rock fans who don't like country music.

This is a great rock record that was overlooked by rock critics and fans because she was country and dissed by country fans offended at her attempt to cross over - ironic since most current country sounds more like 70's pop/rock than this does. Her voice is suited to bar room bluesy rock and the covers here hold up against anyone's. I love Bonnie's "Angel" but this one's still solid.

I have to agree with the reviewer that stated that they need to re-release the follow-up "Tear Me Apart" which is much the same, with a couple of my favorite songs on it. It's one of the few recordings from that era that I have left to replace on disc. C'mon Rhino.

I was 'raised' on Tonyas' music, but it wasn't until a year ago I actually invested in her music for myself. I downloaded about all the hits I remembered.. but I still wanted more. There really is no substitute for a full blown album. The songs on this tend to feed off each other as any true disc should, and then you have Tanya getting her feet wet in a *very rocking* new direction; a delectable recipe for sure. I generally do not care for 'cover songs'.. it was only after I downloaded this that I learned many of these songs were not hers.. but ya know.. they feel like hers and that's what's important.

This album just sizzles! The opener, 'Lover Goodbye' gets the hooks started, then the disc spins into a surprisingly deep ballad.. for a 2nd track; 'I'm the Singer, You're the Song. The album then floors it on the 3rd song.. 'Not Fade Away' is as good as I've heard Tanya dish it out.. amazing! The 4th songs seals the deal; Angel from Montgomery is already in my top 5 Tanya songs.. after 5 listens.. The rest of the disc is no slouch -- the wholly original closer -- Texas (When I Die) is to die for. I only lopped off a star because no matter how great this cd is, the songs have been done -- but I doubt have ever sounded this good, that goes for Elvis's Hound Dog as well -- he may be the king, but Tanya's my queen.