Customer Reviews

Above & Beyond the Doll of Cutey

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First of all, what many reviewer don't seem to be taking into account, and many just don't seem to know at all, is the fact that this was Pam's first album out of the chute, way before all the mega-country hits she had...(and her true 'fans' should know that already...)

With that having been said, I remember buying this album when it was, indeed, an album...(that's vinyl folks)...and yes, she was, back then, trying to come out as a 'pop' singer, not a country act, and she pulls it off admirably...

I thought it was great back then, and I am actually surprised how long it took to become available on cd, considering here 'prime time' has now passed a bit...nevertheless, it's here now, and, to reiterate, any true 'fan' needs to have this in their collection...

If you are a fan of Pam Tillis, as I am, you may find this CD very interesting. I mildly disagree with the other reviewer (the only one, so far), but I would advise country fans to proceed with caution. This is NOT a country album by any stretch of the imagination. Tillis has always demonstrated a willingness to experiment, and her eclectic tastes show from time to time. This debut album clearly showcases an artist with promise and talent, but it also reveals someone who has not yet found her calling.

My guess is that she wanted to make it on her own, free from the shadow of her famous father, so she opted out of the obvious. In retrospect, this was a mistake. Call it a false start. Mel Tillis was a huge talent, but modern audiences have largely forgotten him, while his daughter's career seems to have eclipsed his. If she had followed the course she began with this album, it's doubtful this would have happened. Pat Benatar and Madonna do come to mind, but I also thought of Cyndi Lauper, particularly on the song, "(You Just Wanna Be) Weird," one of the more successful numbers. This is a so-so collection of very '80's-sounding pop songs, although there are a couple of standouts. "Let's Get Crazy" could easily have been done by Benatar, and approaches the quality of some of Pat's better efforts. I also enjoy "Love Is Sneakin' Up On You," although it isn't especially distinguished. This is the problem with most of this album: Pam's singing is fine, and the production values are fairly high, but the songs are nothing special. It should come as no surprise that the best track on this oddly titled record is the only one that hints at a country music sensibility: "Never Be The Same," a gently rocking ballad with a nice hook. Here, her voice is out front and center, where it belongs. Speaking of which, on a side note, one of the voices buried in the mix on ABOVE AND BEYOND... is that of Wendy Waldman, whose own career was transitioning from performing to mostly just songwriting -- for country artists (!) It should also be noted that Tillis had a hand in writing almost all of the songs on this CD.

Thankfully, when Tillis returned, she had found her natural voice, and the rest is history. Ordinarily, I would recommend a historical release like this for the artist's die-hard fans, but not this time. Although I'm not sorry I made this purchase, those whose tastes are confined to country and/ or folk and roots music will have a hard time appreciating this early effort. Sample it first, if you can! For those Pam Tillis fans who may have lost touch with her, I highly recommend her recent Rhinestoned CD. It's superb!

i just discovered this lp is the record shop, and had to hear it immediately. Her voice is amazing and the music is timeless.. Her voice is powerful and emotive, quite different from the country music that she is know for..which in my opinion is kinda subdued

This is a gem showing the raw vocals of country star Pam Tillis and while many people never heard of this album, many fans have been dying to get their hands on it for some time.

We now have that chance and the songs here are standard 80's pop fair. You can catch the smokey charm in Pam's vocals as she goes for an pop sound....one that would make her a 90's hit maker.

Are the tracks brilliant? Well vocally they are fun and the lyrics are guilty pleasures. I think most can agree, we are thankful that the pop fizzled and instead we received one of the best female country artists out there.

Suggested for fans of 80's Pop and hardcore Pam Tillis fans only.

The only good thing about this 80's album, it that it showcases how far musically Pam has come through the years. I love Pam's voice and have enjoyed all of her albums--until this one. Check out "Homeward Looking Angel", "Sweethearts Dance", and "Rhinestoned" but whatever you do, let this "cutey" of an album pass on by. Bad stuff!

I can't think of a single Pam Tillis album I haven't enjoyed. Make this my first. Following her brilliant independent CD, Rhinestoned, I immediately pre-ordered this CD when it was announced. I should have read the description! It was originally made in 1983, and does it sound like it! Pam hadn't found her voice yet (literally!), and this is a poorly produced, warmed-over bunch of throw-away pop songs that sound like they were left off a Madonna or Pat Benetar record. Nowhere to be heard is Ms. Tillis' distinctive vocals.
Pam Tillis is a national treasure. This album is an embarassment that should have been left in the 80's.
Now, if you're into this sort of thing -- go for it!

I cannot beleive my ears! It hurts my ears! Where did the sultry voice go and song selection such as Spilled Perfume, and In Between Dances, Shake the Sugartree and What about Memphis? This album could make you forget about Memphis! Don't buy this album. I am very disappointed.

This is not the great countrysinger Pam Tillis is as in f.e. "Band in the window"

This new album has a disgusting "poppy" sound and is a great dissapointment!