Published on Apr 6, 1998
As much as I have admitted I am not a big country music fan, I
can’t help liking Kathy Mattea.
Her style of music is an AOR crossover without sounding like
she’s trying to keep her feet planted in both styles of music,
something I’d be hard-pressed to say about many artists. The
surprising thing is that she has yet to achieve success that other
artists like LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood have achieved – and as
good as they are, something seems terribly wrong.
Take Mattea’s 1994 release
Walking Away A Winner. I first bought this disc at a garage
sale that had nothing but music – hey, $5 for a disc that was a new
release at the time was enough to make me willing to give it a try.
This album has it all – and really should have been the album that
broke Mattea into superstardom. Why it didn’t, I’ll never know.
The title track is a prime example of the mastery Mattea has
over her music (notwithstanding the fact that Mattea herself wrote
none of these songs). The overall groove of the song makes it feel
like a light rock song, while there are just enough touches that
give it a country twang. Mattea’s voice, as it is on all ten
selections, is flawless and enchanting.
This one song isn’t enough to make you wonder why Mattea isn’t a
superstar? Then check out “Nobody’s Gonna Rain On Our Parade,”
another song that screams “light rock”. The harmonizing vocals and
catchy chorus are the “giveaways” to my ears – and frankly, this
song could have been a smash hit had someone been willing to give
it a chance.
But
Walking Away A Winner also has enough touches to make it a
country album – namely the powerful storytelling locked within.
“The Cape” tells of the importance to hold onto our dreams – and
even a touch of our childhood innocence – despite what the pundits
say. “Who’s Gonna Know” is a song that has occasionally moved me to
tears, a song which stresses the importance of not only hanging
onto the memories of loved ones, but passing those memories along
to future generations in order to keep these people alive in our
hearts. Ka-pow. “The Streets Of Your Town” and “Clown In Your
Rodeo” probably are the most country-oriented numbers.
And let’s throw in a touch of feminism while we’re at it –
“Maybe She’s Human” is a subtle hint to men that we damn well
better start appreciating everything the women in our lives do that
we don’t see or take the time to acknowledge. (This lecture coming
from someone who spends too much time in front of the computer than
with his own wife, by the way… I’m not above admitting
fault.)
Even a country-hater will probably love
Walking Away A Winner – there’s enough of an
adult-contemporary flavor to make you forget where Mattea’s roots
truly lie. But Mattea’s talent – as well as that of her backing
band – cast away any prejudice you might have against country
music, and make this a truly pleasurable listening experience –
albeit a short one, clocking in at well under 40 minutes.