...
"Born to Fly" is an absolutely cracking and highly enjoyable album from an artist who is chock-ful of talent and who appears to be successfully linking the country styles of both the old and new centuries - from where country originated to where it is going.
The tiny back-water Missouri ... Read review
Advantages: Can be listened to over and overagain. Disadvantages: Please let me know of them.
...of New Franklin,where she was born in 1971,had no idea of the prodigy that it was harbouring.She started learning to play the mandolin and to sing at the tender age of four and then later a group was formed with her brothers. Valuable extra income was derived from performing at socials,dances ,PTA meetings,retirement homes and the like.Her family at this stage was quite impoverished.
At twenty , in 1991,she made the inevitable move ... ...to support herself whilst she honed her writing and singing skills.Incidentally, it makes me wonder , at this juncture, just how many stars of the future are at this very moment are setting down coffee and grits in front of some unsuspecting Nashville country fan!
It wasn`t long however before she found herself a husband- Craig Schelke - and moved off to Oregon,performing in a group that opened for the likes of Tim McGraw and Willie ... more
I wrote this review originally back in June.I`ve had several messages stating people`s surprise at how few reads it has managed to attain so in order to get it read,rated and commented upon by a new influx of "ciaoers" here it is in a revised and amended version.
Contemporary country music is getting a bad name if all you have to listen to are the likes of Shania Twain or Faith Hill.Many artistes forsake their roots and adopt a far too "pop" route to big money success.There are still plenty out of singers out there who try to retain connections to their country origins and Sara Evans is one of them.
If you`ve not come across Sara Evans before I would suggest that you don`t delay much longer.There is so much to enjoy in her music.It`s so obvious that she really enjoys singing and the music on her third album is so entertaining and satisfying that you may find yourself playing it repeatedly at first. I heartily recommend her to you all.
"Born to Fly" is an absolutely cracking and highly enjoyable album from an artist who is chock-ful of talent and who appears to be successfully linking the country styles of both the old and new centuries - from where country originated to where it is going.
The tiny back-water Missouri town of New Franklin,where she was born in 1971,had no idea of the prodigy that it was harbouring.She started learning to play the mandolin and to sing at the tender age of four and then later a group was formed with her brothers. Valuable extra income was derived from performing at socials,dances ,PTA meetings,retirement homes and the like.Her family at this stage was quite impoverished.
At twenty , in 1991,she made the inevitable move to Nashville where she worked as, guess what ,a waitress to support herself whilst she honed her writing and singing skills.Incidentally, it makes me wonder , at this juncture, just how many stars of the future are at this very moment are setting down coffee and grits in front of some unsuspecting Nashville country fan!
It wasn`t long however before she found herself a husband- Craig Schelke - and moved off to Oregon,performing in a group that opened for the likes of Tim McGraw and Willie Nelson.However the draw of Nashville was just too strong for in 1995 she returned to the home of country.
Fate played it`s hand here in the form of Harlan Howard,song-writer extraordinaire.He heard a demo tape of Sara`s singing his song "I`ve got a tiger by the tale".His response included the words "You`re great !"and immediately brought her to the attention of RCA. A recording contract followed and in July 1997 ,a debut album was released- "Three chords and the Truth" which included the very track "Tiger" that caused so much excitement.This album earned her critical acclaim as well as awards and nominations including "Top New Female Vocalist" and an inclusion in the "Top Ten New Stars of 1998"
Since her debut album in 1997,she has managed to put her undeniable stamp on the music she has made. "Born to Fly" is her third album and she has definitely moved a long way since her first. It may be quite pop-oriented but still retains the feel of traditional country and represents yet another string to her finely tuned bow, being an excellent blend of ballad and up-tempo tracks.The lyrics just have to be listened to for they are sure to strike a chord here and there with many of us - deep and meaningful yet up-lifting with a message in each track.
She has co-produced 6 of the tracks as well as participating in the writing of a similar number.It`s so bubbly and infectious when you listen that the music will easily take you off your feet and away from cares and worries if only you allow yourself to surrender to it`s powerful emotion and Sara`s distinctive and exceptional voice.
Her wonderful mezzo-soprano voice displays it`s outstanding qualities and emotional range here with some real tear-jerkers and top-notch songs.She is a progressive writer and singer always moving outwards and upwards.She is able to exhibit such a wide variety of mood and spirit-energetic,sensual,aggressive,dynamic,passionate,earnest....the list goes on.
It`s very hard to pick a favourite track from so many contenders.
Is it "Born to Fly"?.An exhuberant mix of vocals and instrumental. Or "I Could not ask for More"?A beautifully and powerfully delivered version of Edwin McCains love song. Maybe it`s "I Keep Looking",with her baby giggling on the intro and with toe-tapping,double-tracked vocals and great guitar work. Take your pick! There`s so many to choose from.A great cover of Bruce Hornsby`s "Every little kiss" with the man himself playing the piano and wurlitzerYou might say it is "Let`s Dance" or "Why Should I Care" and there is always "Show Me the Way to your Heart".
A bonus for anyone with the U.K. release is that they put an extra track on the album."You" is a very catchy one with sweeping vocals and melody.
Sara Evans is yet another flower that has originated from poor rural America.It would seem that the hard life suffered by the impoverished communities is the stimulus needed to bring out the best of the musical talents in a few gifted individuals.In her case ,the "seed" has germinated,been nurtured ,grown and eventually flowered into something special.
Don`t just take my word for it.Try and get this album if at all possible.There is so much to enjoy on it!
