Wynette`s notes on the cover of this album say she ”couldn`t have recorded” an album like it before now because she would have been ”afraid that my fans wouldn`t like it, that reviewers would pan it, and that nobody would buy it.” Well, no apology necessary.
With Steve Buckingham, Wynette, one of the most adept and distinctive country singers on the scene for two decades, has found a way to employ all her vocal talents while remaining as contemporary as the 6 o`clock news.
This, the first album on which she has sounded comfortable with a contemporary style, is titled after its first cut, a duet with Mark Gray on which two great singers collaborate on a song (and current single) on which they don`t blend very memorably. From then on, though, the sound improves dramatically, with the other four songs on Side 1 getting better in turn.
”You Can Lead A Heart To Love” is uptempo with an almost-gospel feel, clever lyrics and uptown country instrumentation. ”Breaking Away” offers an especially powerful chorus. ”Every Time You Touch Her (Think Of Me)” is a surpriser, offering slow, husky-voiced blues. And the best song on the album
–written by her old standby, Bobby Braddock (”D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” ”Golden Ring,” etc.): ”Between 29 and Danger,” a sultry and sassy one that might have been written for Lacy J. Dalton.
The quality thins out considerably when the record is turned over, but Side 2 neverthless begins memorably with ”It`s Only Over For You,” a fine contemporary-style ballad.
In this album, producer Buckingham has let her use her all-out, emotional style one contemporary material and backed it with energetic instrumentation. The result is a winner.
