Search - Tanya Tucker :: My Turn

Tucker's Turn to Re-Live the Classics

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 06/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Big Big Love, Walk Through This World With Me , You Don't Know Me



Label mate Patty Loveless has done it, now it's Tanya Tucker's turn to show how to breathe new life into the chestnuts of country music. However, this isn't just a disc of karaoke Tanya Tucker-style. Rather, this former CMA female artist of the year has turned the gender table around in recording songs associated with the men of country music. Instead of choosing songs often associated with feminine victimization, Tucker has handpicked songs that vim with muscular assertiveness. Yet she gives each one of them her signature reading encasing each with her feminine vulnerability and seductive charms. Further, Tucker is judicious in her selection of covers. On one hand, she has selected the cornerstones of the country genre such as the oft covered Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me," Eddy Arnold's "You Don't Know Me," and Merle Haggard's "Rambling Fever." On the other hand, she re-introduces a few more obscure materials giving the disc an air of freshness. This includes Lefty Frizzell's "I Love You A Thousand Ways" and Wynn Stewart's "Big Big Love." Moreover, what makes this disc even more endearing is that this is Tucker's personal tribute to her dad and mentor Beau Tucker who died of lung cancer in 2006. Pictured on the CD cover is Tanya holding her dad's hat.



One never knows how much Tucker is missed until her very first note resounds with Faron Young's "Wine Me Up." Just like when she was at the peak of her career in the early 90s, Tucker's weathered worn gravel-like vocals is so still so enthralling especially when it is accompanied with this barroom steel guitar drenched romp. When Tucker takes on the persona of femme fatale, she shows that she has not loss an iota of her seductive purrs when she gives Hank Williams Sr.'s "Lovesick Blues" her feminie makeover. Sounding like it's written just for her, Wynn Stewart's "Big Big Love" calls to mind some of Tucker's feistier numbers like "It's a Little Late" and "Walking Shoes." "Big Big Love's" infectious tune and Tucker's knockout delivery show all the latent signs of being a hit. Strangely Buck Owens' "Love's Gonna Live Here" is turned into a duet with hit writer Jim Lauderdale. Somehow, this first single misfires-- Lauderdale's unique phrasing just doesn't have the chemistry to combust with Tucker's. Tucker would be better served with a younger and perhaps more robust duet partner such as Toby Keith or Josh Turner.



Producer Pete Anderson (who produced most of Dwight Yoakam's records) shows that he not a slavish copycat of the originals. He spices up Charley Pride's "Is Anyone Going to San Antone?" with a Tex Max flavour. While on Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn's "After the Fire is Gone," Anderson has given his hit a touch of bluegrass harmonies by way of the Grascals. But when it comes to any Tanya Tucker disc, the ballads are always the highlight-- Tucker simply has a way coloring the shadows and shades into a heartbreak tune that novices can only dream about. Here the Queen of heartbreak does not disappoint as she delivers a tortured version of Eddy Arnold's anthem to unrequited love "You Don't Know Me." "Walk Through This World With Me," though a more convivial love song, has a ring of sadness to it as Tucker tears through the lyrics with her tear-stained delivery. However, if you are looking for some heart-wrenching expositions of a broken heart such as Tucker's hits "Soon" or "(Without You) What Do I Do With Me," they are regrettably not found here.



"My Turn" is a long awaited CD by Tucker--in fact, it's her first since 2002's "Tanya." On the whole, it's a fine return for Tucker. What sets this disc apart is that we get to see a more personal side of Tucker which she rarely reveals. Here we get a glimpse of the music that have shaped and influenced her prodigious career. And by reliving these country classics, she shows that she can stand toe to toe with many of her heroes.

"

HER TURN TO TRULY SHINE

Christopher P. Smoot | High Point, North Carolina | 07/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having been seven years since the release of her "Tanya" CD, I was anxioulsy awaiting the release of this album. Admittingly, I was somewhat dissapointed to hear this was going to be another cover album of country classics, but since it was Tanya, I knew I wouldn't be dissapointed---and I wasn't ---and you are not likely to be either. Every song is sung in Tanya's trademark fashion. She took these male-driven country songs and added her own personal spin on them. I hope this album is just the beginning of new things to come from Tanya. Seven years is too long to have to wait."

My Turn

Staffan Oberg | Sweden | 09/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tanya's best album ever. Not a bad song on the album. Old songs and new producer (Pete Anderson) seem to be a winning concept. Tanya sounds like she used to some 30 plus years ago, and the way we europeans want her to sound. We never accepted the new Nashville sound. Welcome back to country Tanya. Can't wait for your next CD, hopefully in same style."