Customer Reviews

I Hope You Dance

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Lee Ann Womack is without a doubt in the top three most talented vocalists in Nashville (along with Reba McEntire and an undecided third). She proved this to me with her first album, reinstated herself with her sophomore Some Things I Know, and now should convince the world with her third release, I Hope You Dance. Lee Ann brings the listener into the song with ballads like "The Healing Kind," the title track, "Stronger Than I Am," (the best song on the album), "I Know Why The River Runs," and "Lonely Too." She makes you want to dance with the rollicking "I Feel Like I'm Forgetting Something," and once again closes off an album with a religious track, "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good." Other songs with original background music like "Ashes By Now" are catch, as well as "After I Fall." Lee Ann's clear soprano voice cuts through the air on tracks like "I Hope You Dance" and "Why They Call It Falling." Overall, as strong or stronger than the stone country masterpieces "Lee Ann Womack" and "Some Things I Know," this CD might bring Lee Ann onto center stage...finally.

Lee Ann Womack's I HOPE YOU DANCE is exactly what country music has been needed the last few years. A innovative album, it is filled with creative musical expression, thoughtful uncliched lyrics (as country music lyrics usually are), and displays incredible song writing talent. The crowning achievement of the album is the title track. "I Hope You Dance" is for anyone needing a lift-me-up or inspiration to get back on track. It's a song for family, friends, and especially since it is that time of year, for graduating Seniors; its words of wisdom should be guidelines for any student stepping out into the world. It should be at the top of your list of songs to commemorate Graduation.

Lee Ann Womack has retained her musical integrity in a big way after lackluster sales of her second album, Some Things I Know. Like with her other albums, the songs on I Hope You Dance sound contemporary enough to please the new-country listener, yet she doesn't feel the need to make radio-friendly songs that are just a passing thrill with nothing to really stand out artistically or lyrically. This album expands Lee Ann's horizons even more than before, and ranges from the surprisingly rocky "Ashes By Now" to the bluegrassy "The Healing Kind" and "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good" to the honky tonk fun of "I Think I'm Forgetting Something" to the popish and amazing ballad "I Hope You Dance" and the beautiful traditional ballad "Lonely Too." Another good thing is that like Dolly, Lee Ann sounds unmistakeably country regardless of the style of song. This is one of the best modern country albums that you will find!

There are a lot of reasons to like this CD: The sound which is definitely country, but soft enough to appeal to non-country listeners; the forthright statements of some songs; the bright personality of the singer; the honest dealings with emotion; but most of all, there's a positive message, a basic joyful dealing with life. We're not deluged with self-pity, even when she's hurting. This is a woman exhibiting the capability to deal with life.

Of course, the title song, "I Hope You Dance", sets the positive tone for the album. Lee Ann hardly needs backup singers, but in this case, the Sons of the Desert do enhance the sound of the hit song and do well in complementing ("complimenting" might be as appropriate a word) her.

The other hit song, "Ashes By Now", reinforces the positivity of the entire set. This is no weepy woman here, folks.

Same goes for "Stronger Than I Am", again a frank and forthright statement, and a poignant picture of the situation, one which should make any good man think before he leaves a woman and child.

"Thinking With My Heart Again" is another emotionally effective song, one in which Lee Ann's voice comes out strong, carrying the song without as strong an accompaniment as in some cuts.

She definitely does justice with the Don Williams song, "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good", again with the theme of facing the day with hope and strength.

There are other strong and enjoyable songs, but those are the ones that especially draw me and that I think quite worthy of notice.

This is a natural for country fans, but I think pop fans, adult contemporary listeners, should give this a good listen also, because I do think you'll go for it.

Lee Ann Womack has created another masterpiece, this is one of the best country albums I've heard in a while. Lets start with the title track, which became a mega hit, a career song for Lee Ann. I Hope You Dance is a song that empowers listeners, enstowing faith into them. Its no wonder it became a hit with its positive, empowering message.

The album is a very eclectic mixture of songs, all which are excellent. There is some brutal honesty on this album in songs like The Healing Kind, I Hope You Dance, Stronger Than I Am, I Know Why The River Runs, etc. This is true country music, she hasnt abandoned her roots. She also has some fun on songs like Ashes By Now (the second single), Does My Ring Burn Your Finger, and others. This is a well crafted album and well worth the wait. So give it a try, it has the power to make you think about your life in a positive light.

This album changed Lee Ann Womack's career forever. The title track become a crossover hit, and hit #1 on various formats. The song resonated with listeners. While it's a strong track, there's so much else here to enjoy. The album opens with the beautiful "Healing Kind", with great harmonies and music. "Ashes By Now" is a wonderful song and Lee Ann did a great job with it. Some of my favorites include her cover of Julie Miller's "I Know Why The River Runs", as well as ballads like "Why They Call It Falling", "Stronger Than I Am", to name a few. There's not one bad song in this bunch, it's a strong collection throughout. Yes believe the hype, because it's true, this is truly a remarkable album.

I tried to buy the CD the first time I heard "I Hope You Dance" on the radio. I bought it the first day it was sold and what a nice surprise I received. I love every song on the album. My favorites are: I Hope You Dance, I Know Why The River Runs, Why They Call It Falling, and Ashes By Now. Each of these songs could reach #1 on the charts.

If the traditionalism of Lee Ann Womack's first two CDs made her the heir apparent to Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, the non-threatening pop hints on this one make her a suitable disciple of Barbara Mandrell and Anne Murray. Despite this subtle shift, there is nothing here that stoops to the anti-Opry music of Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, or their hordes of imitators. While some of the songs have elements of what used to be called crossover appeal, there is plenty here for those who suffer through an hour of modern day country radio waiting for a George Strait song.

The title tune is a hopeful anthem that finds a new way to say "never give up." "Stronger than I Am," is a welcome addition to the bountiful country genre exploring the pain of divorce. "Why They Call it Falling" is a bouncy track with some intelligent word tricks, and "The Healing Kind" is as austere as a Patsy Cline effort. One notable mistake is the inclusion of a Rodney Crowell penned "Ashes by Now," whose grating instrumentation makes it sounds like an escapee from a Shania Twain album.

To those of us who yearn for the days when Merle Haggard and George Jones ruled the airwaves but equally enjoyed the tasteful branching out of Kenny Rogers, the Gatlins, and Alabama, Lee Ann Womack is a breadth of fresh air. She lacks the sleaze of the Dixie Chicks, and even her minor experimentalism does not venture as far outside the lines as many enjoyable efforts by Emmylou Harris or Ronnie Milsap.

Recently my 18 year old daughter lost one of her friends in a tragic car accident. I struggled for a way to offer her comfort and consolation. I found inspiration in the words to " I hope you dance" I thought I might share my letter in hopes that anyone who is looking for words to console someone about a loss of life may find them in a song about living life.

Dear Jennifer,

I want to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your friend Benny. I know that he was a very special friend and your loss is immeasurable. My heart is heavy with your sorrow. I wish that I could find words to make your pain go away but I know that only time has that healing power.

Recently I heard a beautiful song with very beautiful lyrics. It is a song about Life and the kind people who dare to embrace it to the fullest. This song reminds me of you. I think that it will also remind you of Benny because, in your own words, he was one of those "Very Special" people that you and I talk about.

I hope that whenever you hear this song or read the words, you will be reminded of the good times that you and he shared. As time passes the pain in your heart will be replace by the joy of having been his friend.

When you and Benny had the choice, you both "chose to dance" and you danced together.

I love you

Dad

When Lee Ann released her debut album, she was acclaimed as the new standard bearer for traditional country music. Her second album reinforced that status but this third album finds Lee Ann moving towards an easy-listening style although this is still essentially a country album. Following this album, Lee Ann made a significant step away from country with her next two albums (one of which was a Christmas album) but then returned to her roots with a much more traditional country album. Thus, Lee Ann has tried various styles but her wonderful voice always sounds great.

The big hit here is, of course, I hope you dance, which crossed over to the American pop charts and even became a minor UK hit - no mean achievement in an era when country singles rarely become big pop hits. Apart from I hope you dance, there are many other great songs here including I feel like I'm forgetting something (a great up-tempo song to get those toes tapping), Lonely too (an excellent ballad written by Bruce Robison, a brilliant singer-songwriter), Lord I hope this day is good (a cover of a Don Williams classic), Does my ring burn your finger (written by Buddy and Judy Miller, an under-rated folk-country duo), Ashes by now (a cover of Rodney Rowell song) and Why they call it falling (a brilliant ballad).

This high-quality album should still please most traditional country fans, if not quite as much as Lee Ann's first two albums, while also pleasing fans of contemporary country.