Patty Loveless has long been one of Country music's foremost and highly respected Divas, accomplishing Grammy-nominations for, 'How Can I Help You Say Good-Bye' and 'You Don't Even Know Who I Am', plus #1 chart-toppers 'Blame It In Your Heart' and 'You Can Feel Bad (If It Makes You Feel Better)'.

Born in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, the youngest of seven, Patty is the daughter of a coal miner who was taken far too early from this life with black lung disease, due to inadvertently bringing too much of his work home with him. Brought up on bluegrass and mountain music, Patty surrounds herself with some of the most respected names in the music, including Gordy on guitar; ace fiddle players Stuart Duncan and Deanie Richardson; playing bass is Clarence "Tater" Tate; Ricky Skaggs and Tim Hensley take up the mandolin, with Skaggs also on Cross-Tuned mandolin and helping out on backing vocals. Rob Ickes and Gene Wooton play dobro; Alan O'Bryant and Butch Lee can be found on banjo, with the guest appearance of Earl Scruggs on the fast moving 'Pretty Little Miss' written by Emory Gordy Jnr. and Patty Loveless.

Opening with the excited statement gather round ladies' The Boys Are Back In Town' (Don Humphries/Pat Enright/Stuart Duncan, Patty slows the pace to explain that if teardrops were diamonds she would have a broken heart worth millions and be 'The Richest Fool Around' (Kostas /Bobby Boyd/Don Mealer). 'Daniel Prayed' (Ralph Stanley) has sensational gospel styled harmonies from Carmella Ramsey & Ricky Skaggs and the joyous gospel theme can also be found on 'Rise Up Lazarus' (Gordy/Loveless).

Other guests appearing here include Jon Randall joining Patty for a sensational duet on Jack Clement's bittersweet 'Someone I Used TO Know' and Travis Tritt takes his turn in an engaging duet on 'Out Of Control Raging Fire' (Kostas/Melba Montgomery). Tritt can also be found playing guitar on Don Reno/Mack MaGaha's 'I Know You Are Married (But I Love You Still)'a song telling of a woman who is still pining for a love she could never own.

The dark shadows close in with 'Cheap Whiskey' (Jim Rushing/Emory Gordy Jnr) telling of lost yesterdays and the demons that drove her away. The shivering 'You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive' (Darrell Scott) looks at the life of the coal mining towns and their ability to trap you in the dusty black shroud of desolation.

Loveless wears these songs like a favourite dress and Time magazine proclaimed that Patty Loveless "sings the truth and serves it up raw". There are no raw edges here... Patty's alto vocals are as clear as a fresh mountain spring, complimented by lighter than air harmonies and dazzling musicianship.

Graham Lees, Dewesbury, W.Yorks Write to | Website

31st January 2002