Customer Reviews

Across the Rio Grande

5 star:		(4)
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I have this album and all of Holly's albums and have been a big fan since 1992. This was her last album on MTM records. There was only 2 hits which were "Thats What Your Love Does To Me" and "(Its Always Gonna Be)Someday". Her song "Just Across The Rio Grande" was never released as a single but it shouldve been as stated below. I think there should have been at least one more song released as a single. I really enjoy "Thats What Your Love Does To Me" and "City Limit" are my two favorite songs on there. Its a really great album.

The title track alone is worth searching out this album for. This very sad song about a Mexican family living near the USA-Mexico border first appeared on Reba's album, The last one to know, but neither version was released as a single. Being a huge fan of both Holly and Reba, I'm not going to say that either version is better than the other. Reba recorded it in a very traditional country style while Holly's version is more contemporary. That said, this album has much to offer traditional country fans, with steel guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin and fiddle among the instruments, plus backing vocals by Vince Gill, Sharon White and Cheryl White. The presence of electric guitars and drums should not put off any but the most die-hard traditionalists.

The songs are a well-balanced mix of up-tempo and ballads, including a great banjo-driven cover of Billy Joel's Travelling prayer. You may have thought Dolly was the first to give this song the bluegrass treatment - well, Holly was ten years ahead of Dolly on this one. And Dolly may well have known about Holly's version because she put in a guest appearance on Holly's next album, Blue rose of Texas.

Other great tracks include That's what your love does to me (also recorded by the Forester sisters) and It's always gonna be someday (the only cut here to be included in Holly's Milestones greatest hits compilation). But this is a truly magical album with every song a classic.

If you enjoy traditional country updated for the eighties, this is well worth looking for.

Tracks

City limit
The stronger the tie
Just across the Rio Grande
Have a heart
If nobody knew my name
That's what your love does to me
It's always gonna be someday
Lonesome highway
Travelling prayer
On the wings of an angel

I have been a fan of Holly Dunn since I first heard her in 1987. I had an old copy of her "Cornerstone" album on tape that I liked very much and when this album came out I was blown away. This is an excellent piece of work! All of tracks are winners with no fill material that you get on most. Listen to her superb voice and the incredible instrumentation and arrangements. They don't make country like this any longer and it's a shame. Nashville would rather turn out all the cookie cutter crud that fills the airwaves today. This cd along with her follow up "Blue Rose of Texas" are two of my favorite country cds of all time. Give this one a listen and see if you don't agree.

As usual, the CD came promptly and in good condition.
I used to listen to Holly Dunn singing on the radio and TV. I missed her and bought some of her CDs. They are excellent! She has a beautiful voice.