Customer Reviews

Hearts in Armor

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Trisha's follow-up to her self-titled debut release remains my favorite Trisha release to date. Trisha Yearwood is simply unsurpassed as a narrative singer. I've read that Trisha went through a divorce during the making of this album and much of this material -- all excellent songs -- certainly reflects that. But the voice is totally vulnerable, beautiful, and undeniable. My favorite cuts, "Walkaway Joe" and "Down on My Knees", are simply drop-dead gorgeous masterpieces. She also flexes some blues chops to great effect. Again, she's joined by stellar talent -- Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Don Henley. On "For Reasons I've Forgotten" she is magically paired with Raul Malo of the Mavericks -- he appears frequently in her subsequent releases. The closer, "Hearts in Armor", another duet with Don Henley, evokes Linda Ronstadt at her best. If you like Trisha, you must have this album.

With harmony vocals that feature Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, Raul Malo, and Don Henley, HEARTS IN ARMOR features a delectable serving of country sounds. Emmylou Harris contributes to the writing credits of one of the highlights of the CD; "Woman Walk The Line" is as traditional as it gets, featuring fiddle, mandolin, and steel guitars. "For Reasons I've Forgotten" (written by Jamie O'Hara) and You Don't Have To Move That Mountain" (written by Keith Whitley) are also songs beautifully done by the crystal voiced Yearwood.

CDNOW listed Hearts in Armor as one of its picks for "Best of Genre" and I have to agree. This album is packed with winners and focuses on Trisha's brilliant interpretative skills.

While the hits "Walkaway Joe" and "Wrong Side of Memphis" were undeniably strong, I think other tracks on the album best showcase Yearwood. "Down On My Knees" is one of those rare cuts that combines great vocals, minimal production and excellent instumentation, and a beautifully written song. And I love the energy and sass she injects into "You Say You Will."

I think the most affecting track for me on this album is the title track. It's so stark, pure, and beautifully rendered that it best captures Trisha's abilities. Hearts in Armor is arguably the srongest album Trisha's done (it's in a close running with Real Live Woman on that one), and definitely raised the stakes on her career.

This recording goes to the very heart of what it means to be human, to be frail, to be mistaken, and yes, to be heartbroken. Yeah, that sounds like a lot to swallow at one sitting ... if we just "had that chance again." This is a marvelous recording, a great moment in time for Yearwood and her talented collaborators in memorable music. Please note, this sort of thing just doesn't happen very often. Think about it: "The Wrong Side of Memphis," "Walkaway Joe," "Woman Walk the Line," "Down on My Knees" (good god yes!), "Hearts in Armor," and everything else, including "You Say You Will." This music is timeless, if your heart is open. Yearwood reaches into dark, fearful, but wondrous depths that no deep cavern has ever dreamed. ("Begging you please, don't take your love from me.") If you've ever wondered why Yearwood is held in such high regard as a talented artist, then listen to this recording carefully. You'll figure it out....("I've come far enough to know, love's worth not letting go of.")

When I picked up "Thinkin' of you" from a low price section in my local record store, I had never heard of Trisha Yearwood. I was very surprised when I found out I just listened to a country singer and loved it! I decided to dig her discography further.

I think Trisha got me with her ballads. She sings them in such an emotional but never vulgar way (in opposition to Faith Hill on "Breathe" for example).

Ballads are what this album offers with profusion: "The woman before me" (I guess every woman has that mothering tendency), "When goodbye was a word", "Walkaway Joe", "Down on my knees", "Woman walk the line" (a bitter song about being a woman and lonely), "Like we never had a broken heart" (a very tender one), "Fools like me" (one of my favorites with its blues touch), "Nearest distant shores", "Lonesome love" and the title track, no less. For some people it might be too laid back, for me it is perfect.

"You don't have to move that mountain", "Wrong side of Memphis", "She's in love with the boy" (very cute song, too naive really) and "That's what I like about you" are more upbeat. Those songs keep me going, and I could take the habit of having country playing in my car while driving long distances.

"Hearts in armor" is not, according to my taste, her best album. I was not captivated by this one the way i have been by "Thinkin' of you" and I prefer her later material. I would not skip it either from any Trisha Yearwood collection. If it is not her best, it remains a very good one.

I'd have to say this album is pure perfection. I ask the question to myself what can be said about this album. The question is what cant be said about it. Its amazing. The opening track " Wrong Side Of Memphis " rocks its way through with Trishas powerful, full forced, amazing, TALENTED , rocket launcher of a voice. The second track slows it down Its pretty with nice vocal touches by Garth Brooks ( before hooking up ) " You Say You will " starts out blaring with a beating melody. And ends with an amazing guitar solo ish ending. Oh my god then comes " Walkaway Joe " WOW ! I love this song...Trisha voices plays it off so amazing that you feel the song creep through your body. Women Walk The line is also great. I love its smokey, wineing, feeling. I can keep going with all the other songs. But then you wont be suprised. So if youre at all interested ion Trisha and dont own this album You should Its simply the best.

Trisha Yearwood didn't falter at all with her sophomore album HEARTS IN ARMOR. In fact, it's even better than her debut in my estimation. Working with top songwriters again, she really starts to develop her sound even more on this album. The album opens with her hit, "Wrong Side of Memphis", which was written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison. A definite highlight is the sassy "You Say You Will" which shows her vocal power. My favorite ballad on the album is the heartwrenching song "Down On My Knees" where Trisha sings about having to live without someone's love, she really makes you feel her pain in this song. It was a big hit for her. So was the duet with Don Henley called "Walkaway Joe", which tells a sad story. She also manages a cover of Emmylou Harris' "Women Walk The Line", with Harris singing background vocals. The closing title track is heartbreaking and honest. Overall a strong effort from Yearwood.

HEARTS IN ARMOR established Ms Yearwood as a stunning new voice on the country music scene, and deservedly so. Her rich, evocative and powerful performances yielded four big hits: WRONG SIDE OF MEMPHIS, YOU SAY YOU WILL, WALKAWAY JOE and the smash DOWN ON MY KNEES, the disc's best track. Another highlight is the pensive HEARTS IN ARMOR. Trisha gets fine harmony support from Don Henley, Garth Brooks, Raul Malo, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris.
This is one of Yearwood's "purist" country efforts and one of her fans' faves. Undeniably she possesses a truly marvelous voice and continued putting out great music

THE CD IS A GREAT COLLECTION OF STRONG SONGS FROM A GREAT ARTIST, WHO RELATES TO EVERYONE

Another great offering from Trisha.
It includes her big hit ballads Down On My Knees,the gorgeous Walkaway Joe and the kick ass uptempo Wrong Side Of Memphis.
There's also some other great gems here like her fantastic version of Emmylou Harris's song Woman Walk The Line which Emmylou herself provides some beautiful harmonies on,For Reasons I've Forgotten and the simply beautiful piano ballad and title track Hearts In Armor,which is a standout.Her voice is always beautiful no matter what she sings and this album is no different.
A fine addition to your country collection.