Customer Reviews

It's About Time

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Finally..a new cd from the voice of Highway 101, Ms Paulette Carlson. Coming out of 'retirement', this cd was released last year (albeit with different cover art) and has been available on her official website. Anyone who likes Paulette or Highway 101 will want to buy this cd anyway but you wont be dissapointed. Every track is a gem and her voice sounds as beautiful as ever. Simple country songs of love and loss (I knew a good thing... ,I wish you wouldent stand.. & Only in your dreams) along with heartfelt nostalgia (That old glass case & Twenty years ago)and 'traditional' songs (My love is in America & Rejoice for the moment). Also featured are 'Americana' songs, "She rides for the brand", "Its about time" and the reason for Ms Carlson returning to the spotlight - "Thank you Vets" are all really accessable. As a 35 year old guy from England I really have no real knowledge/conection to the Vietnam war. Despite this I was actually very moved by the heartfelt sincerity of the lyrics and the emotion in her voice in "Thank You Vets". Paulette has once again shone through with her songwriting and has written all but 2 tracks. This is certainly a welcome return and hope this to be the first of many more cds we can expect to get from this wonderful and very talented lady!!

Finally Paulette has given us a new CD. With 10 original songs, she has written precious stones to share with all who listen. No one writes more personal and meaningful songs then Paulette has on this CD. Besides songs such as The Old Glass Case and He's Funny That Way. She has,written a song for the Vietnam vets. Where have the other writers been on this subject. Easily showing she can express any feelings she has, even on a subject to difficult for most to tackle.

Once again if this isn't enough, she shows us no one can actually sing their songs with the emotion and energy that she gives to every line. No wonder Highway 101 was the most popular group of its day.

Thanks Paulette.

If you are not familiar with Paulette's voice think a less melancholy Tammy Wynette (one of my favorites). Paulette's work with Highway 101 is well documented but she has some wonderful guest appearances, especially on The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Circle II.
The first number on the album, I Knew a Good Thing When I Had It, should be a major country hit. Lively and very catchy you have a hard time getting this song out of your head. That Old Glass Case is a really good song about a family heirloom. He's Funny That Way and Twenty Years Ago are two more fine numbers that like all of Paulette's tunes has hooks that grab you and have you singing along. It's About Time Now is a high energy tune with good use of the fiddle that will start your foot tapping and before you know it you will be dancing to this one.
I saved Thank You Vets for last, although every song is very good this one is extremely moving for me, a Viet Nam Vet. Paulette's brother Gary is a Nam Vet and the lyrics on this song come straight from her heart. She tells all Nam Vets that she appreciates them and the country now appreciates them even though it is late in coming from our country...better lat than never I say. The song has a great melody and has the hooks she is known for but there is a lot of power in this number and the heartfelt lyrics. It is the song that brought Paulette out of retirement and we are the beneficiary of that decision. Paulette dedicates this album to all Viet Nam Vets. Buy the CD, you won't be disappointed, even if you are not a country fan.
Here is hoping this very talented and caring lady continues to record. If she plays in your area do yourself a favor and catch her live.

Prime Cuts: Only in Your Dreams, He's Funny That Way, That Old Glass Case

It's about time for her return -- after a 9 year hiatus, where she has chosen the venerable prerogative of raising a family -- Paulette Carlson's finally back. Vocally this petite blonde is still packed with emotions when she croons a ballad and when she rocks she still can cause barns to be ablazed. And, despite the fact that country music has gone through transformational maelstroms led by the assault of pop and rap that shook its identity at its core, Carlson's new CD still comes across as if time has not changed. With a throwback to the days when she was heading the multiple-number-one group Highway 101, "It's About Time" still relies on those wonderful rustic rudiments such as steel guitars, fiddles and piano to parlay these newly recorded 12 paeans. However, with "It's About Time," Carlson makes two departures. Instead of relying on the scribes at Music Row, Carlson has penned 10 out of the 12 cuts. Further, she has chosen to helm the album by herself, a fleet she has had never done before.

Most ambitious among this oeuvre is the heart wrenching ballad "That Old Glass Case," a story song that finds echoes with Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors." Here Carlson waxes nostalgia about her deceased parents incurred via an old glass case, a priced family heirloom. Though it is easy to give in the tooth-decaying mawkishness on such songs, but Carlson redeems this track with the way she caresses each note with care dripped with emotions. Also, in the inspirational mode is "Rejoice for the Moment," a ode to carpe diem in the lyrically alley of Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," though it lacks the urgency of McGraw's hit. And when inspiration turns to patriotism, a couple is represented here: lead single "Thank You Vets" is a slice of personal tribute Carlson wrote in remembrance of her brother who died in the Vietnam War. Though the sentiments are to be commended, but the marching drums sounds trite; a simpler backing would be more effective. While "She Rides for the Brand" offers a graphic narrative perspective of the agonizing toil of war on the families of the vets.

Lest one gets the impression that this is an inspirational CD, the songs that deal with romance abound. The choice cut here being the exhilaratingly upbeat "He's Funny That Way" where Carlson provides a litany of why her man is indispensable. Surrounding herself with a wall of wailing fiddles, Carlson bears her heart on the hurt-drenched "Only in My Dreams," this is stuff the heart is proud of. "Twenty Years Ago" and "My Love is in America" are the only non-Carlson penned tracks. Of which, the former was a Kenny Rogers' hit which Carlson's version strips this ballad from Rogers' 80s pop synth-feel. But the latter, "My Love is in America," is a offbeat ballad that suffers too much from some unfortunate chord progressions thus diffusing the melody as a result.

Though Carlson's return is much anticipated, there is a feeling that such a return was a little rushed as far as the song selection of the CD is concerned. There's nothing that really jumps out that spells "hit" all over. Neither is there an entry that will etch into the listener's conscience the way "(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes" or "I'll Start With You" had on listeners those years ago. Nevertheless, there are enough good tunes to warrant one's listening time. In short, this is a timely return that deserves one's endorsement.

If you like Paulette Carlson, you can't go wrong with this CD. Just more of her beautiful voice. Buy it, and you won't be sorry.

Well worth the wait, 'Thank You Vets' is a stand out and the slightly different musical arrangement on 'That Old Glass Case' makes it sound better than ever. This beautiful woman has lost absolutely nothing in her ability to sing with such conviction, power and feeling.