Je N'en Peux Plus Sans Ma Cadillac (I Can't Go On Without My Cadillac)
Let's Commit Adultery
Highway Of Tears
Get Happy
Scream In The Night
"I used to be a sweetie/And I barely stayed alive," Candye Kane announces on the opening title track of The Toughest Girl Alive, and if one knows even a bit of her life history, one can easily believe it. Don't let the tou... more »gh exterior fool you, though--Kane's got a heart of gold, and it comes through on every one of her songs. Extolling the spiritual value of being true to oneself as much as she embraces the pleasures of the flesh, Kane may seem like an odd role model with such songs as "Let's Commit Adultery" and "(Hey, Mister!) She Was My Baby Last Night," but she cheerfully admits that if there's a price, she'll pay it. After all, "Makes no difference to the Lord above/He loves you no matter who you love." With a siren's voice and an aggressively untrendy swing band behind her that's one of the tightest anywhere, Kane has gained a following that's rapidly approaching the outer limits of cult status; there's even a testimony from Penn Jillette included in the liner notes, for heaven's sake. If Kane comes to your town, you must check her out. Introduce yourself, but beware: as Jillette says, "If you get too close to Candye, you're never going to leave. You'll see." What's more, you won't want to. --Genevieve Williams« less
"I used to be a sweetie/And I barely stayed alive," Candye Kane announces on the opening title track of The Toughest Girl Alive, and if one knows even a bit of her life history, one can easily believe it. Don't let the tough exterior fool you, though--Kane's got a heart of gold, and it comes through on every one of her songs. Extolling the spiritual value of being true to oneself as much as she embraces the pleasures of the flesh, Kane may seem like an odd role model with such songs as "Let's Commit Adultery" and "(Hey, Mister!) She Was My Baby Last Night," but she cheerfully admits that if there's a price, she'll pay it. After all, "Makes no difference to the Lord above/He loves you no matter who you love." With a siren's voice and an aggressively untrendy swing band behind her that's one of the tightest anywhere, Kane has gained a following that's rapidly approaching the outer limits of cult status; there's even a testimony from Penn Jillette included in the liner notes, for heaven's sake. If Kane comes to your town, you must check her out. Introduce yourself, but beware: as Jillette says, "If you get too close to Candye, you're never going to leave. You'll see." What's more, you won't want to. --Genevieve Williams
chris haiss | Los Angeles, California | 06/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Toughest Girl Alive" reflects Candye's immense talent as a songwriter and a singer. The diverse songs make this CD a real jewel. Not only do they have great lyrics to which it is easy to relate, they also have this swing and rhythm that goes straight into your blood! You just can't keep your feet on the ground, while Candye's powerful voice wants to make you "Scream in the Night"! Five stars for this well-rounded CD!"
This is Candye at her Best
John Standiford | Cypress, California | 10/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First off, let's make it clear that Candye Kane is not some novelty act. While some folks like to focus more on her past and on her looks in reviewing her work, this is a serious vocalist with an exceptional backing band. There are few people on the planet who can belt out a song like Candye. Add to that, an allure that is hard to ignore and you have someone who makes great CDs and performs at unforgettable shows.Of all of her work this CD is by far the best. I don't think there is a weak cut on the entire album and most of these songs will either get your feet moving, put a smile on your face or at least get you to stop and reflect.While I would recommend anything she has ever recorded, this along with Diva La Grande are the perfect place to start in terms of appreciating her talent."
Big Beautiful Woman Makes Big Beautiful Music
happydogpotatohead | New Orleans, LA USA | 08/08/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Candye has had an outrageous life and an outrageous career, and judging by this sharp, expansive and swingin' CD, it's not over by a long shot. Candye sets herself up as a classically bawdy belter in the mold of early Della Reese, Ruth Brown and Big Maybelle, with a little Rusty Warren thrown in. And it works. For me there's not a bad song on here. It's absolutely the best CD to put in when there's a party going on. Even when the CD slows down for some questionable material (Didn't We and Highway of Tears) her big, warm voice carries it along anyway. A real surprise of a CD; I was familiar with Candye from her previous career in the, ahem, adult entertainment industry but had NO idea that behind the big beautiful exterior there was an equally big, beautiful music talent. Anybody who likes swing and blues, a little on the salty side, will dig this immensely. Candye might be the Toughest Girl Alive but I've always had a soft spot for Tough Girls. They've always got more substance than those prefab teen cuties."
Its gets better and better
Jerald Barker | 06/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered Candye Kane last year when I saw her on television. I bought "Toughest Girl Alive" the first day it came out and I have not stopped listening since. IT is an album of pure gold, not one bad song in the mix. From the opening of "Toughest Girl Alive" to the last scream in "Scream in the Night", the album is pure gold. If she doesn't become a star, there is a problem with the world."
What A Voice
Jerald Barker | San Marcos, CA USA | 02/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought Diva La Grande was the ultimate Candye CD...until I heard this one!Her deep, rich voice really comes through on some very good songs. There is a great deal of variation on this CD that never fails to keep my interest - with the exception of For Your Love which gets fairly cheesy towards the end.But that is a small price to pay for a boatload of ear Candye that I have been putting on every chance I get. Diva La Grande was much more raw, both lyrically and to my ear musically. Toughest Girl Alive is more polished. I love'em both."