Trisha Yearwood Album: “Hearts In Armor”

With harmony vocals that feature Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, Raul Malo, and Don Henley, HEARTS IN ARMOR features a delectable serving of country sounds. Emmylou Harris contributes to the writing credits of one of the highlights of the CD; "Woman Walk The Line" is as traditional as it gets, featuring fiddle, mandolin, and steel guitars. "For Reasons I've Forgotten" (written by Jamie O'Hara) and You Don't Have To Move That Mountain" (written by Keith Whitley) are also songs beautifully done by the crystal voiced Yearwood.

This recording goes to the very heart of what it means to be human, to be frail, to be mistaken, and yes, to be heartbroken. Yeah, that sounds like a lot to swallow at one sitting ... if we just "had that chance again." This is a marvelous recording, a great moment in time for Yearwood and her talented collaborators in memorable music. Please note, this sort of thing just doesn't happen very often. Think about it: "The Wrong Side of Memphis," "Walkaway Joe," "Woman Walk the Line," "Down on My Knees" (good god yes!), "Hearts in Armor," and everything else, including "You Say You Will." This music is timeless, if your heart is open. Yearwood reaches into dark, fearful, but wondrous depths that no deep cavern has ever dreamed. ("Begging you please, don't take your love from me.") If you've ever wondered why Yearwood is held in such high regard as a talented artist, then listen to this recording carefully. You'll figure it out....("I've come far enough to know, love's worth not letting go of.")

When I picked up "Thinkin' of you" from a low price section in my local record store, I had never heard of Trisha Yearwood. I was very surprised when I found out I just listened to a country singer and loved it! I decided to dig her discography further.

I think Trisha got me with her ballads. She sings them in such an emotional but never vulgar way (in opposition to Faith Hill on "Breathe" for example).

Ballads are what this album offers with profusion: "The woman before me" (I guess every woman has that mothering tendency), "When goodbye was a word", "Walkaway Joe", "Down on my knees", "Woman walk the line" (a bitter song about being a woman and lonely), "Like we never had a broken heart" (a very tender one), "Fools like me" (one of my favorites with its blues touch), "Nearest distant shores", "Lonesome love" and the title track, no less. For some people it might be too laid back, for me it is perfect.

"You don't have to move that mountain", "Wrong side of Memphis", "She's in love with the boy" (very cute song, too naive really) and "That's what I like about you" are more upbeat. Those songs keep me going, and I could take the habit of having country playing in my car while driving long distances.

"Hearts in armor" is not, according to my taste, her best album. I was not captivated by this one the way i have been by "Thinkin' of you" and I prefer her later material. I would not skip it either from any Trisha Yearwood collection. If it is not her best, it remains a very good one.

Trisha Yearwood didn't falter at all with her sophomore album HEARTS IN ARMOR. In fact, it's even better than her debut in my estimation. Working with top songwriters again, she really starts to develop her sound even more on this album. The album opens with her hit, "Wrong Side of Memphis", which was written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison. A definite highlight is the sassy "You Say You Will" which shows her vocal power. My favorite ballad on the album is the heartwrenching song "Down On My Knees" where Trisha sings about having to live without someone's love, she really makes you feel her pain in this song. It was a big hit for her. So was the duet with Don Henley called "Walkaway Joe", which tells a sad story. She also manages a cover of Emmylou Harris' "Women Walk The Line", with Harris singing background vocals. The closing title track is heartbreaking and honest. Overall a strong effort from Yearwood.

Another great offering from Trisha.

It includes her big hit ballads Down On My Knees,the gorgeous Walkaway Joe and the kick ass uptempo Wrong Side Of Memphis.

There's also some other great gems here like her fantastic version of Emmylou Harris's song Woman Walk The Line which Emmylou herself provides some beautiful harmonies on,For Reasons I've Forgotten and the simply beautiful piano ballad and title track Hearts In Armor,which is a standout.Her voice is always beautiful no matter what she sings and this album is no different.

A fine addition to your country collection.