Mountain Soul

Patty Loveless has chosen to ignore what is radio friendly and return to the music she does best. The result is the spectacular "Mountain Music." It is one of the truest country music releases of the year and a very personal one, dedicated to both her mother and father. Recent releases from Dolly Parton "Little Sparrow", and Loretta Lynn "Still Country", attest to the fact that there is an audience that is hungry for Appalachian mountain music. It would be a real feat if any of these tunes were to become top ten hits in today's country atmosphere. That is not to say that they do not deserve the status. Loveless has crafted a nearly perfect collection of songs that give the listener a sense of what it must have been like to enjoy mountain music in a simpler time. Beginning with the rousing number "The Boys are Back in Town" and the two stand out gospel songs "Daniel Prayed" and "Rise Up Lazarus", this set is simply a joy...Read more

Modern day Country Divas with their emphasis on style over substance could stand to learn a thing or two from Patty Loveless who's simple demeanor and honest strait forward singing have made her one of the last true Country Singers. On past CD's Loveless's true rootsy soul has often been hidden under a slick veneer of Nashville Country Programming. On this CD, her traditional Country leanings have been given free rein and unlike many of her contemporaries, who's cookie cutter voices sound like cotton candy, Loveless sings with a broken heart that pumps real blood.

Although billed as an album of "Mountain Music", Mountain Soul also emerges as a truly genuine country album mining both the gospel and bluegrass influences that made so much of the early Country Music so soulful. Many of the songs on this CD have the feel and sound of old standards. "Rise Up Lazarus", a song co-written by Loveless and Emory Gordy Jr. is just such an example as is Loveless's...Read more

Ms. Loveless doesn't offer us this CD as an hommage to old school country or traditional bluegrass and gospel, rather, she presents us with this wonderful album as if it's the only music known to mankind, and she sings it from the bottom of her soul ! A superb mix of the above mentioned genres, without a misstep on the entire CD. It has been a long, long while since I have enjoyed every single song on a country album, but this one cured that problem. The more I listen to it, the better it gets. Like I stated, every song is great, but, beginning with song ten and ending with song 14, Patty offers us a suite of music that is truly some of the most beautiful and haunting songs ever captured. Her remake of her own song, Sounds of Loneliness, will give you goosebumps, as will, You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive. Where is all the promotion for this stunning collection of songs ? I happened to see a review in Spin Magazine (of all places !) and they gave it 9 out of 10, which is an impressive...Read more