Customer Reviews

Call Me Crazy (Dig)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Disclosure. If you live in New Jersey and listen to country music chances are the windows remain rolled up tightly while you're driving. In the case of Lee Ann Womack this geographic bias does a grave disservice to a tremendous talent (It also doesn't help that the New York radio market hasn't fielded a country station for decades.)

Admittedly, I know very little about country as a genre and even less about Ms. Womack in particular, so stumbling across a few cuts on XM from her latest release, Call Me Crazy left me wondering just who the woman is behind the pipes. After buying the disc (and rolling up the windows) what I quickly discovered is a remarkable voice that in one minute can whisper a room full of pathos and in the next can literally shred your speakers. When you set your prejudices aside, it is clear that in the case of Lee Ann Womack talent is her genetic trump card.

That said, this is clearly not a feel good record, finding Womack in constant turmoil about one disastrous relationship or another - with Last Call, Either Way and If These Walls Could Talk (among others) hard-wired into 911. In fact, these are just the type of toxic reflections that run-of-the-mill bad relationships must talk about when they want to feel better about themselves. Some of us call lawyers while others drown their conflicts in a bar. Both have their virtues.

All that aside, what allows this release to transcend the material's Soap Opry inclinations is Womack's seemingly limitless vocal range. Each song goes to a real place that is unfailingly powerful, honest and tough-minded. Country or not - there's always room for that - even in New Jersey.

Highly recommended!

Three years is a long time to wait for new music from any vocalist. Many careers are made and quickly fade in that span of time. Sometimes too, the anticipation for something new doesn't always live up to one's expectations. Lee Ann Womack's Call Me Crazy manages to meet and exceed any and all expectations ten-fold. This could well be the finest album of her decade-and-a-half long career.

Indeed from the opening bars of her current hit single, Last Call, it's apparent that three years to recharge and refocus did Ms. Womack a world of good. Her voice is exquisitely lush and pure, proving that like fine wine, some things... even those that need no improving... DO improve with time. She's truly never sounded better, or more inspired than she does on this album. Her phrasing is impeccable. Her rhythm panache shows a skill and playfulness. Without a doubt, this is a fun album to listen to! Never over-powering, or over-bearing. Not in your face, but subtle. It's as easy on the ears as Lee Ann is on the eyes. And in addition to never sounding better, she's never looked better; sporting a newly svelte figure that I'm sure would be the envy of women half her age. Compile a list of country music's most beautiful women, and Lee Ann Womack is a must-include near the top. In a bold move, the front cover pose teasingly reveals just her gorgeous gams... and nothing else! The back cover pose more than makes up for the omission of seeing her pretty face under the album title. It showcases what a true beauty this country songbird really is!

The songs are all first rate, including four of the twelve (New Again, Have You Seen That Girl, If These Walls Could Talk, and Everything But Quits), which were co-written by Womack herself, showcasing yet another of her many talents. She is an eloquent writer and masterful storyteller. On Everything But Quits, the LAW is joined by one of her.... and all of country music's.... heroes, the legendary George Strait. Strait is an ageless troubadour, to borrow the title of his latest single. His style, his charm, and his talent transcend time. He was great twenty-five years ago and is even better today. Lee Ann was fortunate to have him grace her album with his presence. Their voices blend beautifully, and the lush string section on this song is reminiscent of the 1960's pop/country sounds of Eddie Arnold and Ray Price.

But not to leave George alone in the vocal collaboration department (of which Everything But Quits should win top honors at the CMA's), Lee Ann Womack corralled yet another country hunk, Keith Urban, to sing back-up vocals with her on The Bees, a song that grabs your attention instantly with its sensuous thumping bass /drum beat. This song literally begs for a music video, and would surely be a hit on CMT and GAC.

Bottom line is this; if you've never experienced the magic of Lee Ann Womack's angelic voice, Call Me Crazy is a great place to start. A true artist in every sense of the word, Ms. Womack stays respectful to traditional country, while retaining a current and contemporary sound. Her talent is a rare commodity, and one worth celebrating and enjoying. Give this album a chance and pop it into your CD player. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you hear! A+

Lee Ann Womack's newly released CD "Call Me Crazy", has been well worth the wait. Her first song, "Last Call" which is out now as her first single, is only the beginning of what should be multiple chart toppers. The second song "Either Way", also should be released as a single, as I'm sure many listeners can relate. This CD is worth the cost for Lee Ann's fans and new comers alike.

This album came in the mail yesterday and I've listened to it a dozen times already. "Call Me Crazy" is an oasis in what is pretty much the desert of true country music today. But then as a vocalist, Lee Ann is like a diamond amongst so much cut glass. If MCA had the guts it could release half the album's tacks as singles, and if country radio weren't ashamed of, or afraid of, playing country music, this collection would yield an equal number of top ten hits. Tony Bowen has yet to produce a bad record, and there is not a throwaway track on the album. Two stellar selections are "New Again," and "Everything But Quits," a duet with George Strait. Lee Ann and George sound so good and natural together, don't you know they would have been as hot as George Jones and Tammy Wynette back in the day. "New Again," co-written by Lee Ann, offers a fresh take on a country music staple: finding true love the second time around. But the song goes deeper, reflecting on the gift of life's second chances. In the same vein as her signature song, "I Hope You Dance," "New Again" ends much too quickly--like all good things in life-- leaving the listener craving one more verse and another refrain from Lee Ann's sweet voice.

Many excellent songs. And not the pop country we hear on the radio. Beautiful voice and great lyrics. Well worth the $$

I have Lee Ann Womack's previous album "There's more where that came from", and was wondering if she could live up to it. It's such a great cd. "Call Me Crazy" however is also great! The first single "Last Call" talks about getting a call from an old love, who's probably sitting in a bar somewhere listening to a country song. From there the album gets better and better. "New Again" talks about how everything's old and worn out, but someone's love can make us new again. "The Bees" is an intriging song, based on the novel "The Secret Life of Bees", and one worth listening to. "If these walls could talk" is a story about a family facing hard times, and a little child's prayers. All in all, this album is one worth picking up.

I love Lee Ann Womack when she sings traditional country music - a type of music that seems to have been forgotten by her female contemporaries. I know she has many fans due to her very popular, past "pop" songs; yet, "Call Me Crazy" proves that Womack is at her best when she goes back to her roots and sings country.

"Call Me Crazy" opens up with "Last Call", a great song that seems to be underappreciated by country radio (atleast in my area) because it's not a "catchy, insta-pop hit." This song proves that when a great voice sings meaningful lyrics, the results are more powerful and poignant than any Top 40 hit. On the second song, "Either Way", Womack channels a little Tammy Wynette and Patty Loveless while singing one the cd's best songs. And so the cd goes, with Womack delivering hit-after-hit of quality country music that actualy sounds country.

On "Call Me Crazy", Womack reminds us why traditional country music, which seems to be fading fast, will never go out of style. My favorite songs are "Last Call", "Either Way", "I Think I Know", and "Everything But Quits" - which is a WONDERFUL duet with Strait. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this album for all country music fans!!!

If you were wondering what in the world's happened to Lee Ann Womack (Like I was beginning to), wonder no more, SHE'S BACK and BETTER than EVER! Well worth the wait the label put us thru, buy this CD immediately and enjoy getting a little crazy with Lee Ann. "Last Call" is terrific and the perfect song to kick off this cd. "Solitary Thinkin'" is a sharp little track that sneaks up on you, written by Waylon Payne. "Either Way" is a great tune about the downfall of a relationship that looks like it's solid from the outside but in reality is all but gone. "New Again" is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. "Have You Seen That Girl" is for those of us always looking for the sunnier side of who we used to be. "I Think I Know" has Lee Ann explaining what killed several of country music's royalty before their time. Just one listen and you too will know. And of course the duet with George Strait on "Everything But Quits" is out of this world, I love the way their voices blend. I whole heartedly advise the purchase of this cd by anyone who loves real country music, killter songs with wonderful lyrics sung by one of the format's under appreciated Angels.

This is an incredible album. I enjoy it almost as much as There's More Where That Came From. You can listen to it over and over again. I could listen to Lee Ann sing all day long. There are several songs that I think will be pruned out of the album as time goes on and you will hear almost all of them on the radio. This is country at its roots as only Lee Ann can do!

This cd is classic Lee Ann with her beautiful voice and song choice. It was worth the wait. I can never get enough of hearing her incredible voice. She is the best woman singer in country music today. Another album of the year for sure! I highly recommend it.