Room to Breathe

Reba McEntire

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 18, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000SYAB2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,405 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Reba McEntire's first album in four years finds the spunky redhead (and sitcom star) thinking like a singer again. Where she'd virtually burned out, doing too many albums a year, she's now thoughtful about her material, updating her repertoire with the hill-country radio hit, "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," while also drawing on the kinds of meaty ballads that propelled her to diva-ness. If "Moving Oleta," a nursing home tale of love, is too squishy a topic for most folks, McEntire seems to be saying that it's high time we looked unflinchingly at a full range of relationships beyond the standard romantic fare. To that end, there's the woman-to-woman song, "My Sister," the pained adoption tale of "Secret," and the bittersweet "He Gets That From Me," a tribute to families who lost loved ones on 9/11. By the time McEntire mixes in some uptempo dance tunes, a gospel number, and a straight-country waltz, she's delivered an album that's a combination of all of the types of music she's recorded over the past 25 years. Thankfully she keeps her trademark vocal curlicues to a minimum, which allows guests Alison Krauss, Union Station vocalist/guitarist Dan Tyminski, and Vince Gill to sweeten the sound. But it's really all Reba, in a very classy return. --Alanna Nash

USA Today, November 18, 2003

3.5 Stars out of 4! Her finest collection since 1991's For My Broken Heart.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reba takes "room to breathe" and comes back fighting !!, November 21, 2003

By	Rob Kaplarczuk (Forked River, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This is the best Reba album from beginning to end since 1990's "Rumor Has It". Like "Rumor Has It" Reba had time between albums to focus on the album and put her heart into it just for the sake of singing instead of rushing to fulfill a contract obligation or contract quota.
Another reason this album stands out is because the material she chose is diverse in style, topics/themes and delivery giving the listener never a chance to become bored hearing the same thing over! (another characteristic of "Rumor Has It"

The styles of music presented on here are all the different types Reba did on her career journey of 25 years on previous albums except they are all on one album this time! from traditional country to contemporary country and back again to traditional in full circle.

Reba chooses songs take you on an emotional journey from sad, to happy, to feel good and toe-tappin'.

1. "Secret"- Classic Reba story social issue song talking about a middle age woman who regrets the "secret" she lives with daily giving up her son for adoption years before giving in to social pressures of the past for un-wed mothers. Vocally Reba tears into the song and makes you feel the tear hit the page

2. "If I Had Any Sense Left At All"- Classic neotraditional style Reba from her 1984-1987 years; a powerful ballad of love gone wrong due to pride again pouring her heart and soul in to every line

4. "Once You've Learned To Be Lonely"- An outstanding song vocally and the message it sends. The vocals Reba pours out her heart and digs deep into the subject of how important it is not to accept to be lonely and sends out the message to become stronger a classic Reba theme

5. "Moving Oleta"- The BEST song on the CD! The topic is excellent focusing on the social issue of Alzheimer's and how the devotion, love, frustration and anger of a spouse is during such an ordeal watching their loved one fade away which needs to be addressed in today's media! along with a great topic and message Reba delivers an impeccable vocal delivery which her emotional phrasing married with the deep subject brings you to tears! The emotion she puts in the delivery reminds you of 1984's "Somebody Should Leave" and 1991's "For My Broken Heart" THIS SONG DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A SINGLE!

6. "Love Revival"- This is a very upbeat woman throw in the man's face song where I'm not taking anymore give me what I want reuniting lovers song delivered in a gospel jitterbug fashion with Reba delivering just enough emotion to get her point accross!

7. "He Gets That From Me"- an excellent selection given the times of our country. This song will definitely be relatable to all the men and women who lost spouses in 9/11 and who continue to lose in the current war. This song talks about how a child reminds his mother of her dead husband as each day passes. This song is definitely a winner which will touch many hearts and families.

8. "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain"- The first single off the album which Reba returns to country airwaves with the type of Reba music we all fell in love with years ago-a song of inspiration and empowerment in fiddle-and-dobro propelled country. And she takes no prisoners in doing either one; proving she is not going away without a fight!

9. "Room To Breathe"- An excellent relationship theme song of taking a step back and reviewing one's feelings before taking the next step in the relationship with Reba's timeless vocals darting up and down as a bird in flight

10. "Sky Full Of Angels"- Classic uplifting inspirational Reba song with a gospel twist. Very refreshing sound!

11. "Somebody"- A radio hit just from the beat very easy to learn and is the type of song where the beat and melody floats in your head long after it is turned off the subject matter is how looking for love may be easier than it seems and may be staring you in the face!

12. "It Just Has To Be This Way" (duet with Vince Gill)- The two singers in their third collaboration 1989-"Oklahoma Swing" 1992-"The Heart Won't Lie" and now this one continue to prove that they make beautiful music together and this song is definitely a chart topper! Reba & Vince duet= ENOUGH SAID

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kathryn's Room To Breathe Review, October 6, 2004

By	Kathryn V. Walker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Reba has definitely out done herself this time. Room to Breathe is the best album in my collection of Reba albums. With slow sad songs that make you think like Secret and He Gets That From Me to the fast up beat songs like Love Revival
and Sister. She really gets into the mood of the song with her voice and takes the listener to a whole new level of feelings.
If I had to rate this album I would rate it 6 out of 5 stars. This album has meant so much to me, being a single mother going to school, that I can always count on Reba to make me feel good when I am down. It is wonderful to know that Reba's music will forever be around.
~Kathryn Walker

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Country!, September 28, 2005

By	curtism - See all my reviews

Reba is amazing on this CD! She goes back to her roots of traditional country on "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" the first of 4 Top 10 singles off this SUPERB album! Also "Love Revival" & "If I Had Any Sense Left At All" are nothing but pure country! The CD is a GREAT mix with some contemporary country as well with "He Gets That From Me" and "Somebody" which was a #1 HIT on Billboard! And in traditional Reba fashion it's filled with some AMAZING emotional songs with "Moving Oleta" and "It Just Has To Be This Way" a new duet with Vince Gill which is nothing short of a masterpiece! I DEFINETLY reccomend this CD!