Fearless [ECD] - Terri Clark

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it rate alongside the competition
Value for Money

Advantages:	A new name for many to savour .
Disadvantages:	Not well known on this side of the pond !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Terri Clark will be an unknown entity for most of you but do not let this put you off trying her brand of contemporary country music.

The best things often happen by chance and that`s exactly how I discovered Terri Clark one day whilst flicking through albums in the country section of the record shop.

My attention was immediately captured by the cover of what turned out for me to be her 4th C.D. Before me was a strikingly attractive, good looking woman in a very confident pose. The cowboy hat she wore couldn`t fail but cause my gaze to be drawn into her eyes! Somehow I just KNEW that this album had to be good and so after a little research on the net I rushed back and bought the c.d. the very next day.

I`ve now been playing it every day for weeks !!!

Oh why had I been so late in coming to her music when she`s had three other albums before this and at 32 appears to be so well established on the Nashville scene?

Originally from Montreal,Terri moved at a very young age to Medicine Hat,Alberta and then at 18 it was onwards to Nashville. There she spent many years experimenting with different styles,sounds ,backing and rythmns before being signed up by the Mercury label in 1994 and then releasing her first album in 1995.

"Fearless" has proved a real eye-opener for me.Her style is very individual,developing an adeptly fashioned , polished tone , delivered in her very distinctive voice with its clear yet powerful sound. It`s gutsy yet at the same time calm,beautifully presented and so personal. Listening to the lyrics it`s obvious that its right from the heart!

Of the twelve tracks on the album,Eight have been co-written with some of Nashvilles top song-writers , three alone with Mary Chapin Carpenter. Other collaborators include Gary Burr and Kim Richey! The collection comprises a wide variety on the 12 tracks, all solid and extremely catchy overall serving as a most suitable platform for her talents.

The album is produced by Steuart Smith who also plays the accordion,guitar,bouzouki,mandolin and organ on most of the tracks - he is a rare performer himself.He certainly makes his mark felt.

And what of the individual tracks themselves? Just a few thoughts about them.

Track 1 - NO FEAR.......A Clark/Chapin one. Excellent choice to begin with.Good guitar,distinctive lyrics and very catchy. This is reputedly Terris favourite track.

Track 2 - SOMETIMES GOODBYE.......Very good vocals coupled with top class backing of banjo and mandolin.Listen to the words on this one particularly....."I want to call out for love until I can`t breathe".

Track 3 - TAKE MY TIME.....Again very good lyrics aided by harmonica give this a distinctive Kim Richey feel .

Track 4 - EMPTY......A slow ballad that mellows and improves with repeated plays - it`s something of a sleeper this one. Powerful.

Track 5 - GETTING THERE.....An excellent mix of toe-tapping vocal sounds and instumentals.Terri wrote it herself and has given it some infectious rythms you`ll find it difficult not to sing along with.

Track 6 - EASY FROM NOW ON.......An EmmyLou Harris cover.Brilliant use of fiddle,quite traditional.We even have EmmyLou herself giving backing vocals.

Track 7 - A LITTLE GASOLINE....Such a good combination of drums,banjo,pedal steel guitar and organ together with captivating lyrics.Quite up-tempo with a great country feel to it .A big hit.

Track 8 - LAST THING I WANTED....Multi-tracked harmonies and harmonica blend well together but why do song-writers resort to na,na naaing mid-way through a song.? I hate it when they do.

Track 9 - TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING...Another Clark/Carpenter offering.Up-tempo with good use of guitar and other instumental usage.

Track 10 - THE REAL THING...A well-paced track that needs to be listened to for the lyrics......"I twist myself like a pretzel at my yoga class " will get your attention! Appreciate the bass accompaniment.

Track 11 - MIDNIGHTS GONE....Terri delivers this with such clear diction that every word is easily distinguished.It`s a heartfelt ballard about the lack of the courage that`s needed in order to leave your small home town. Listen and relisten to this one.I found some of theguitar work reminiscent of some of the Beatles work.

Track 12 - GOOD MOTHER......An exceptional one to finish off with.Powerful,soft,delicate with beautiful delivery.Soulful harmonica sounds and brilliant instrumentals.A unique feel to this one!

All in all,a personal and mature album that is impressive from start to finish.Much more success is assured if this standard is maintained

I challenge you not to be stirred by it.

Excuse me now whilst I go and hunt for her first three albums.Bye!