Miss Fortune

Allison Moorer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 6, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal South
• ASIN: B00006DTZ7
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Allison Moorer's passionate power earned her first two albums substantial and well-deserved critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. This time, she's shifted away from eclectic neo-traditionalism to more contemporary (i.e. conventional) Nashville studio arrangements, and the approach is different enough that it may prove disconcerting to some fans of her earlier albums. Still, her original lyrics remain sharp and focused as she explores a wide spectrum of emotions. The magnificent "Steal the Sun" and acerbic "Hey Jezebel" balance the melancholy of "Tumbling Down," the grim cautionary "Dying Breed," and the torchy "No Place for a Heart." While her vocal and compositional integrity remain intact, the question is what this budding paradigm shift portends for her future. Others who emerged as acclaimed neo-traditionalists (Sara Evans comes to mind) failed to significantly broaden their appeal until they firmly embraced the bland, mechanical predictability that still pervades Nashville. If Moorer is aiming for mainstream success by mollifying country radio, it's understandable. Whether that strategy works remains to be seen. --Rich Kienzle

Product Description

Third full length from acclaimed country singer & sister of Shelby Lynne. Includes bonus track "Bully Jones" not on the USA version. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars but don't buy it!, August 8, 2002

By 

Chris Onions (Wolverhampton) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Miss Fortune (Audio CD)

A brilliant album. I love Allison Moorer's music but (unless you are an Allison Moorer completist in which case nothing is going to stop you) don't pay the extra [money] for the one extra track on this import version. Bulley Jones is the only extra track, done "live-in-the-studio" at a guess and, though the lyrics are strong, nonetheless comes as a bit of an anticlimax after Dying Breed, one of the most compelling tracks on Miss Fortune and a very appropriate note to end on.

I bought the "extra tracks" version in the UK where it has been released as standard so didn't pay an arm and a leg for it but would advise any US fans who haven't got money to burn to avoid it and get the US version with which, if your tastes anything like mine, you will be well pleased.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great songwriting, great voice, August 11, 2002

By 

Chris Onions (Wolverhampton) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Miss Fortune (Audio CD)

Allison Moorer's previous album The Hardest Part completely bowled me over on first hearing. A wonderful album with good songwriting, some beautiful arrangements and a lot of depth to it, but definitely plumbing the darker side of love.

Miss Fortune in many ways carries on where The Hardest Part left off. The songwriting just goes on getting stronger. Listen carefully for instance to the rhyme pattern which works in all three verses of Up This High - clever yet not contrived. The cornerstones of the album are undoubtedly the midtempo ballads which Allison Moorer does so well. The palette is broadened by a greater variety of arrangements, at times reminiscent of the Beatles and also of Glen Campbell at his Jimmy Webb best. And then the range is also broadened to include a handful of more uptempo numbers where RnB influences are beginning to creep in, such as Going Down, modelled on the Stones' Brown Sugar (or even Bowie's Watch That Man). Perhaps no bad thing (such influences haven't done sister Shelby Lynne any harm) but, while they add interest, I'm not entirely sure these numbers work in their own right or fit into the album as a whole. Perhaps just me.

Allison Moorer certainly has a gorgeous voice which is warm and expressive and would grace a rendition of Humpty Dumpty let alone songs of the quality of those on Miss Fortune.

Overall therefore, despite slight reservations expressed above which may disappear on further listening, for me this album rates five stars.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CRUCIAL CAREER MILESTONE SAFELY PASSED, September 5, 2002

By 

J. C. Bailey (East Sussex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Miss Fortune (Audio CD)

Allison Moorer may have the most powerful, expressive voice in country music, and she has the song-writing talent to back it up. I gave her last album, "The Hardest Part" an ecstatic 5-star review, and would probably give her debut cut, "Alabama Song", 4.5 stars if the system allowed fractions.

Allison has now reached what has been the watershed for good or bad, the make-or-break point in so many recording careers, the famously "difficult" third album.

Make no mistake, it's a good album as every fan knew it would be - the lady's talent, discipline and professional commitment always ensured that would be the case. My only real regret is that (quite understandably in view of the critical timing in her career), Allison has played it a little safe this time. As editorial reviews say, it's closer to conventional Nashville, and I haven't yet found anything on here to compare with the desolate beauty of "A Soft Place To Fall" or the awesome spine-tingling intensity of "No Next Time" (my favourite tracks off the first two albums). Also I miss the traditional bluegrass inflections of her earlier work.

The good news is that there is not a duff track on the album. Allison's blistering voice is if anything on even better form than before, and the soulfulness that set her apart from the Nashville pack seems even further to the front. And the best news of all is that by broadening her appeal at this critical phase Allison has played a good hand for her long-term career. That promises more great work to come, and all the time in the world to pursue a more personal musical vision in the years ahead.