Customer Reviews

Right Out of Nowhere

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Prime Cuts: Right Out of Nowhere, I Hope You're Happy Now, Give It Away

Despite the ebbs and flows of the changing soundcape of country music--be it the horrid Line Dancing faze or the current Muzik Mafia assault--Kathy Mattea has remained steadfast. Ever since her inaugural CD in 1984, Mattea has anchored her music in her brand of folk-country without amercing to blatant commercialism. Hence, she has left behind a rich legacy of memorial tales that capture lives' most bodacious moments: Who would forget the fairytale romance at the "Five and Dime" ("Love at the Five and Dime") or the gal whose dreams were bigger than Texas ("She Came From Fort Worth")? Though there's nothing quite as piquant as the aforementioned hits, "Right Out of Nowhere" has its share of tunes that ought to continue to intrigue, inspire and harbor bittersweet memories.

Self-produced, "Right Out of Nowhere" is perhaps Mattea's most personal record to date. Coming right off a difficult time (her parents' death and a near breakup of her lengthy marriage), "Right Out of Nowhere" is therapeutic in many ways to Mattea and anyone who has had been through tribulations. Dealing with the theme of venturing into the unknown future, Mattea's warm alto is seasoned with a quiet affirmation of faith as she tackles the acoustic sounding title track. As if she was singing right to herself, the Celtic-flavored "Love's Not Through With Me Yet," offers assurance of love's entangling powers. Most welcomed is fellow artist Suzy Bogguss' harmony vocals which adds support like the presence of a much needed old friend in a time of want. The theme of making most of life (a perennial concern in Mattea's catalog) surfaces again in the celebratory Harley Allen-penned "Live It," underscored by some relentless sounding jaw harp and harmonica.

But, the album's most intimate comes in its quieter moments: Angela Kaset and Skip Ewing's "I Hope You're Happy Now" easily takes the spotlight. An intense piano based ballad, "I Hope You're Happy Now" finds Mattea running into her ex's new woman only to find that he has dumped her too --the remainder of the song finds Mattea berating this Casanova for his heartlessness and lack of commitment. This is heart-wrenching stuff and from the first note, this track spells "hit." But in Mattea's musical world, not everything ends on a bitter note: "Give It Away," a ballad co-written by Mattea's hubby Jon Vezner, offers forgiveness to a brawling couple. While the philosophical "Only Heaven Knows" finds Mattea committing the mystery of suffering to the hands of the Divine.

However, despite being quite a stellar album, there were a few misfires. Though Mattea is to be congratulated for her gutsy move in offering an acoustic read of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," it's not the most quintessential track from their catalog. On "Hurt Some" she offers some timely advice to women about relationships, but her exhortations falls flat due to the song's lack of a strong melody line. Also, her bluegrassy take of the traditional gospel "Wade in the Water" is predictable at best. Overall, the pride and place of "Right Out of Nowhere" resides in Mattea's heartfelt nuances that she brings to these songs. Further, "I Hope You're Happy Now" is such a gorgeously heartbreaking ballad that would be enough reason to purchase this CD.

I'll admit it....I'm not the most objective person when it comes to Kathy Mattea, but that is because my heart loves, needs, must have music! And in listening to a broad spectrum of music, I became a Kathy Mattea fan. And in becoming a Kathy fan, I went to see her in concert. And in seeing her in concert, I became Kathy Mattea music-dependent! I own all of her CDs and, of course, there are some that I love more than others, and RIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE is right up there at the top of the list. Its title track is particularly dear to me and, I swear, taking her message to heart changed my life. Truly! I won't go into all the tracks here, as others have done an admirable job in describing them already. Obviously, I adore Kathy Mattea's music, and am particularly fond of the acoustic arrangements that she and Bill Cooley, in particular, bring to lucky listeners. These give us Kathy's voice in its purest and most soulful (or exuberant) form, and it is likewise a treat to take in the complex nuances of her musicians' talented playing.

I would recommend that any lover of music add this CD to his or her collection and listen -- live it, man! Even more than that, I would recommend that you do yourself an enormous favor and buy a ticket to see Kathy and her sensational band in concert when you get a chance. She favors small, extraordinary venues designed to showcase exceptional music for fans who want the best listening experience. Not only will the acoustics be superior in such venues, but the more intimate setting is ideal for getting the most from a Mattea concert. Once you've experienced them live in all their exuberant glory, you'll be satisfied with a CD only to see you through while you await the next concert! Yes, folks, she's all that, and so much more!

Buy several copies of this CD and give them to your friends....they'll love you for it!

As a long-time Kathy Mattea fan, I have anticipated this CD for a long time. And it does not disappoint. This is simply the best CD of her long and storied career. The CD is a wondrous mix of the passionate, the sad, the uplifting, but mostly it is very thought-provoking. My personal favorite song on the CD is Give It Away. Kathy's road band plays on the CD and they are as great on the CD as they are in concert, lending a delightful mixture of instruments on the various cuts.

Right out of Nowhere is Kathy's third release on the Narada label, and a foray into a more blues type style. For those who were swept away by the power and depth of Roses and by the Celtic instrumentals that album presented, Right out of Nowhere may be a bit disappointing. Also lacking are the songs of eternal love that made her famous. But for all of what this album lacks, it brings forward a sense of hope where others may find despair. The blues riffs are not sad, but steady. Many of the new songs are reminiscent of tracks from Walk the Way the Wind Blows, only greatly matured. Kathy and her band also breathe a fresh interpretation into the classics "Down on the Corner" and "Wade in the Water." I believe Roses is the better album, but this is still a solid work of art well within the level of quality Mattea fans have come to expect.

Let me preface this review by saying I haven't heard the entire album, as my copy is still en route. But based on the song samples and seeing Kathy perform last Christmas, it appears that Kathy has created a very solid recording here, adding to her impressive catalog of songs and stories. On "Right out of Nowhere", we are treated to a collection of soulful, heartfelt offerings of love and acceptance. Not particularly country are these, but rather an almost a Carly Simon-like quality. There really aren't any potential hits, so i don't expect to hear alot of Kathy on the radio, but that's probably a good thing. That means that Kathy continues to pour her heart out on each subsequent album without giving in to the big paycheck by creating "fluff". There are two cover songs, the Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter" and CCR's "Down on the Corner". Her rendition of the Stones song excels. My only complaint- and it's a small one- is the album is almost too consistent. Maybe that was her intention, but I do love when Kathy "rocks out". I guess I'll have to see her perform live again to experience that. Kathy,how about a double live album next year, one side electric and one side acoustic??

Kathy Mattea does it again! On this album she sings mostly rock'n roll tunes, with a little country thrown in here and there. I have several of her CD's and this is easily one of her best. Although many of the songs were unfamiliar to me, I knew one or two of them. And she does a GREAT cover of CCR's "DOWN ON THE CORNER." I'm actually learning to play that very song on the guitar. If all you like is Kathy's country music, then I don't recommend this album (no disrespect meant), but if you are a big die-hard fan of Kathy Mattea, period. Then you owe yourself a copy of this masterpiece! One thing more, if you have a chance to see Kathy Mattea live, you should. I saw her once with my girlfriend, and she takes time after every concert to chat with her fans and sign autographs, which of course only happens when you least expect it. :)

I really love this CD. My favorite song is "Live It"...its infectious. Reminds me of "Gentle On My Mind"....very catchy and great to hear a Steel Guitar back on a Kathy song.
Close seconds for me are "Love's Not Through With You Yet"..."Give It Away" and "Right Out Of Nowhere". Buy this CD...you will be happy you did...I am!

I think part of the magic of Kathy Mattea is not only her voice but her abilty to find some really good interesting songs. In this current collection "I Hope your happy now" is one of those classic songs. Also excellent are "Live it" (best shot at a radio Hit) and the title track.

I have seen Kathy perform live several times with this current band she has assembled and in my opinion she is at her creative and artistic best. Her band members are very talented and her concerts are full of new ideas and excitement - breathing new life into some of her older songs and showing a glimpse of what could be an awesome direction for her future music. So why, on this new cd, does barely any of that shine through? To me it's simply due to poor song selection. There are several highlights - Gimme Shelter being the strongest track for me - but I feel that many of the songs do not showcase the diversity and talent of the awesome band she has assembled.