Martina McBride is something of a marvel. Throughout her career she has managed to walk a tightrope between Nash-Vegas commercial concerns and the high art of well-crafted songwriting and serious singing that makes up mode... more »rn country at its best. Her hits in the Nineties ("Wild Angels," Independence Day," "Life #9," "Safe in the Arms of Love") were beacons of light in a darkness of clichéd and over-produced cowboy-disco tunes. Martina continues her tradition of tasteful tune picking and powerful but never over-the-top vocals. "This One's for the Girls" mines much missed Mary Chapin Carpenter territory, while tunes like "In My Daughter?s Eyes" and "So Magical" (with its scenes of rural bliss) stay safely this side of excessive sentimentality thanks to McBride's considered performances. Even pop tunes like "When You Love Me" and "Learning to Fall" are kept country with an emphasis on guitars, fiddles, and steels over syrupy synthesizers. Throughout, producers Paul Worley and McBride herself give Nashville lessons on how to make a record that is shiny but never slick. Finally, her live performance of "Over the Rainbow" is a lesson on delivering a show-stopping vocal with minimal melisma and maximum soul. --Michael Ross« less
Martina McBride is something of a marvel. Throughout her career she has managed to walk a tightrope between Nash-Vegas commercial concerns and the high art of well-crafted songwriting and serious singing that makes up modern country at its best. Her hits in the Nineties ("Wild Angels," Independence Day," "Life #9," "Safe in the Arms of Love") were beacons of light in a darkness of clichéd and over-produced cowboy-disco tunes. Martina continues her tradition of tasteful tune picking and powerful but never over-the-top vocals. "This One's for the Girls" mines much missed Mary Chapin Carpenter territory, while tunes like "In My Daughter?s Eyes" and "So Magical" (with its scenes of rural bliss) stay safely this side of excessive sentimentality thanks to McBride's considered performances. Even pop tunes like "When You Love Me" and "Learning to Fall" are kept country with an emphasis on guitars, fiddles, and steels over syrupy synthesizers. Throughout, producers Paul Worley and McBride herself give Nashville lessons on how to make a record that is shiny but never slick. Finally, her live performance of "Over the Rainbow" is a lesson on delivering a show-stopping vocal with minimal melisma and maximum soul. --Michael Ross
Dawn T. from MCCORDSVILLE, IN Reviewed on 10/26/2006...
Some of her best songs are on this cd.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Smooth and Creamy
Amanda Richards | Georgetown, Guyana | 02/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been listening to a wide mix of music lately, from Nickelback to Outkast, from Clay Aiken to Evanescence, from Matchbox Twenty to Thalia, Beyonce, Train, No Doubt and Westlife.These are all excellent performers, but the "feel-good" girl among the current "IT" entertainers is unquestionably Martina Mcbride. The album contains a collection of cotton candy sweet, touching and moving material, which can chase the darkest gloom from a cloudy day.She may be guilty on a few songs of putting in so much effort that she almost screams (reminiscent of Heart songs like "Alone"), but the majority showcase her smooth creamy delivery to the max.A refreshing break from the frenetic and dark side of music."
Martina Continues to Amaze!
10/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Martina McBride has done it again! Her style and impressive vocal talent shines through on this CD. This album contains a strong collection of songs that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel good all at the same time! The opening song "So Magical" is an upbeat, fun song that reminds us how to find the beauty and magic in daily life. Other upbeat "fun" songs are "This One's for the Girls" and "Wearin' White" - a true fun, country song that will make you smile (with Vince Gill's background harmonies making it all the better)! Martina's vocals soar on the powerful ballad "How Far", "City of Love" and the incredible live version of "Over the Rainbow" that will give you chills. The incredibly touching "In My Daughter's Eyes" (to be the second single) will bring tears to your eyes. "God's Will" is about a crippled boy who teaches us the meaning of selflessness, love and hope (it's a little long - at almost 6 minutes with a long instrumental ending) but the lyrics will absolutely touch your heart. Martina even mixes it up a bit by including the bluegrass/gospel-ish tune "Reluctant Daughter". I could go on about how each and every song will touch a certain emotion. It's just an incredibly well done and uplifting album - and Martina's vocal talent is unparalleled!! The version with the bonus track "Show Me" is only available at WalMart but it's a fantastic song and well worth a trip to WalMart to get that version. Enjoy "Martina" - it is a must have!!"
Simply The Best
Sara Gunn | USA | 12/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Martina McBride is back and better than ever. The greatest singer in country music---scratch that, the greatest singer in all of popular music---has delivered once again."Martina" is a fantastic collection of songs sung with beauty and power and grace. It is almost impossible for me to even begin to think of choosing a favorite song, because I love each and every one of this cd's twelve tracks, but "So Magical" is just a perfect upbeat summer song, "In My Daughter's Eyes" is an incredibly moving ballad and "God's Will" sends shivers through me. Not to mention "This One's For The Girls" and "She's A Butterfly" which make me feel so happy and so sexy at the same time! And to be honest, I never cared for the song "Over The Rainbow" all that much until I heard Martina sing it. Now it's one of my favorites!Martina's performance is breathtaking on every track as she brings true emotion, gravity, dignity and decency to the ballads and a fun, joyous and sexy spirit to the more uptempo songs. Each and every song features a powerful vocal performance. Martina always gives us her all and that is always more than anyone else can give us.I fully expect this cd to be nominated for multiple awards and win all of them! If you haven't bought it yet, do so quickly! Go ahead, treat yourself, you deserve it!"
STILL THE SOPRANO SONGBIRD OF THE COUNTRY WORLD
swingoutsisterguy | New Castle, DE USA | 10/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being a fan of Martina, I had to buy this cd. As with every cd I buy, I never assume that it will be great, much less good. But much to my chagrin, the self titled MARTINA is great.
Her vocal work is great as always and the selection of songs was good.
The song SO MAGICAL is typical Martina: bouncy, fun, very country and lovable. SHE'S A BUTTERFLY is a beautiful ballad that reminds me of one of my favorite Martina songs (Broken Wing). CITY OF LOVE (the stand out song) is another one of those typical Martina songs: so country. THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS is a joyous proclamation of women and thier gifts, trials, failures and successes. WEARING WHITE is another hill billy country song for Martina. She does wrangle in two pop-esque type country songs. WHEN YOU LOVE ME & LEARNING TO FALL could very well be heard on the pop stations. But thanks to her vocal range and the instruments used; it stays country. To close out the cd she includes a live version of OVER THE RAINBOW. She raises this song to a level that no one can surpass. Her voice is just grand. God gave her a wonderful gift and I am glad she shares it with all of us.
I have never had a disappointing cd from Martina and she comes through again with her self titled one.
For anyone who loves country music, this is a must have. For anyone who loves female country stars, this is a must have. And if you are a Martina McBride fan...I don't think I need to say it. ENJOY!"
An AMAZING Album!!!
swingoutsisterguy | 10/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just when I thought that Martina McBride cannot possibly get any more better than she already is, she proves me wrong again!!! Her cd "Martina," is AMAZING!!!! Here is how I rate each track (5 stars= BEST): 1) So Magical- I love this Celtic song... the instrumentation is ear candy, the lyrics are catchy and Martina's voice is awesome in it. (5 stars)2) She's A Butterfly- a very nice song, talking about the transition of a girl to a stage of womanhood. Tears of joy come from listening to this song. (5 stars)3) City of Love- cool song, about surviving anything that shows up in one's road, as long as that person has built a foundation of love. Like the "yellow brick road" reference.(5 stars)4) This One's for the Girls- Martina's first single of the album. LOVE it! It's very fun, uptempo and very enjoyable. An anthem for any girl. (5 stars)5) How Far- WOW!!! Martina hits the highest notes in the album on this song. Once, again. WOW! (5 stars)6) Reluctant Daughter- EXCELLENT! Martina shows her pure mountain vocals on this bluegrass/gospel tune. (5 stars)7) Wearin' White- I LOVE this track! It's very country, uptempo and tells a story. (5 stars)8) When You Love Me- my least favorite track on the album. I guess it has yet to grow on me. (4 stars)9) In My Daughter's Eyes- beautiful song, about how the daughter sees the mother from her perspective. Any parent's favorite. (5 stars)10) Learning to Fall- great song. Catchy chorus and the harmonies are a treat. (5 stars)11) God's Will- OMG This song is SUPERLATIVE!!! My favorite in the album. It tells the story of Will, a cripled boy, and his challenging life. A tear jerking, but very powerful and meaningful song. I get goosebumps each time I listen to it. This song is worth the entire price of the cd alone! (6 stars!!!)12) Over the Rainbow- a LIVE version of this song. A wonderful finale to the album. Shows Martina's exceptional vocal range. (5 stars)Overall, this is one of the best country music albums ever and Martina's finest! If you do not own this musical masterpiece, don't tiptoe or walk your way to the cd store, RUN RUN RUN!!!!"