Customer Reviews

Roses

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Roses", Kathy Mattea's latest offering, is a radical departure from her country recordings. Her last effort, "The Innocent Years", was a brilliant collection, but her label (Mercury) obviously didn't promote it enough, and therefore airplay was scarce, and many potential hits were lost. Now, on Narada Records (known for its new age artists), has given Kathy a tremendous opportunity to use that wonderful voice to embrace songs with an obvious "Christian" feel. Using sparse instrumentation throughout, "Roses" has a definite Celtic feel, and it looks as though Kathy's not too concerned about having a "country" hit. All of the songs are remarkable, with the opening "That's All the Lumber You Sent", a humorous look at a man who gets to heaven and finds out he hasn't sent enough "lumber" to earn a place in heaven. "Junkyard" is my favorite; a scathing, heartfelt plea to stop taking junk in our everyday lives. It's powerful. "Who We Are" is a piercing look at the relationship between a mother and daughter, penned by the brilliant Beth Nielsen Chapman.
All in all, "Roses" proves once again that Kathy Mattea is one of our prime female forces. Enjoy----I did.

This first Narada Records CD, "Roses", will probably be overlooked and underplayed by radio in general. And, that is a shame, as it is probably the best album Kathy Mattea has ever made.

Mattea has always tried to give the best of her philosophy and life experiences in her music, and then allowed the listener to adapt the songs to their own lives, in their own way.

From the opening strains of "That's All The Lumber You Sent", with the Celtic tinged fiddle, along with the storyline of a man's encounter with Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates, sets you on a wonderment journey. "They Are The Roses", has you double checking your behavior, and then shaking your head with the wonderment of children, and the fact that "there is nothing more beautiful and wild, than the dreams that grow in the heart of every child."

The songs are upbeat, only 4 of the 12 are slow ballads, lest I give you the idea that these are "sad, country tear your heart out" power ballads, nor are they the sappy feel good songs that Babs Mandrell used to record. This is more like a Tony Robbins seminar, in that if you aren't careful, Mattea lovingly, melodically, calls a gut check on you when you aren't looking, making you reexamine yourself in areas you may not want to deal with. Yet, she does so in that big sister mode, gradually moving you to think and examine through her own example in the songs, and letting you make up your own mind without prejudice.

"Till I Turn To You" is a flat out prayer to the almighty. The 'excuse me very much', in your face, "Junkyard", talks about the trash heap we get handed daily, and protecting the Holy Ground of our souls. "Who We Are" examines just that, and why is it we stray from that truth. The two tunes Mattea co-penned with Marcus Hummon, "Come Away With Me", and "The Slender Thread That Bind Us Here", show the talent, and depth of Kathy Mattea, that was always there, and is now set free to express itself through song-writing.

In the tradition of putting artists into categories or genres of music, it is so nice to still see Kathy Mattea coloring outside of the lines.

Kathy Mattea's CD reminds me how many times my heart was broken and how many times it was healed... sometimes through effort - sometimes through grace -- usually grace.

Kathy's courage to depart from commercialism is dangerous and tasty. She flips the bird to the status quo (nicely), and gives her fans something challenging to embrace at a time when content is the last thing equated with success.

I really don't want to talk about the songs on this CD. It would be like giving away the end to "Rosemary's Baby" or "To Kill A Mockingbird." Don't try to figure it out - let it reveal itself to you. This is not microwave popcorn. It's a Sunday dinner: roast with potatoes, carrots and onions surrounding and flavoring everything within reach. There may even be leftovers that taste better tomorrow.

In an era of styrofoam and mind-numbing conformity, there is Kathy Mattea. Here is something you won't have to throw away when you get tired of it. Thank God for Kathy Mattea. What's she gonna do with all that lumber? Her pile is full up!

Tom H.

What can I say? For those of us living in England we have had to make do with the recorded material as Kathy rarely tours here. Sadly recent albums have been patchy to say the least.

Then comes 'Roses' one familiar tune in 'I'm Alright' and a whole slew of new and intersting songs. There is not a weak song o the whole CD and her wonderful reassuring voice is in truly peak form. Superb musicianship throughout compliments the songs with a gaelic flavour to the fore. The only disappointment is that Dougie McClean her collaborator in years past is not represented.

The songs are the usual array of intelligent , well arranged thought provokers that deal with real life and our reactions or feelings. No commercial pap here just honest well worked songs that will be played time and again. It would be great to see the CD sell but such intelligent stuff is not what the Biz pushes these days.

Thankyou Kathy and when oh when will she play in England again. On the evidence of this CD I will just have to emigrate !

Mattea's dalliance with non-commercial, introspective material has been known throughout her career. However, in order to get her name out there, she has recorded some radio friendly hits in the past (like "Walking Away a Winner," "Nobody's Gonna Rain on Our Parade"), keeping her records in balance between what's food for the soul as well as commercially viable.

Without the pressure of a Nashville heavyweight label, Mattea has been given free rein as far as this CD goes. This CD is by far the most introspective and soul enriching album she has had ever made. Top marks goes to hubby Jon Vezner penned "Ashes in the Wind." A haunting melodic piano led ballad detailing the story of an unrequited love. Bearing some similarity to the emotional depth of Mattea's top 10 hit "Where Have You Been," "Ashes" is by far a top notch career song for Mattea. A song that deserves a two thumbs up.

Other cuts that breathe as much emotional depth is theBeth Nielsen Chapman "Who We Are" which deals with the issue of forgiveness and reconcilation. On a more upbeat tune, dealing with the same theme is "Guns of Love."

As with her previous albums, Mattea has not shy away from spiritual issues. "Till I Turn to You" is a prayer of surrender to God that is extremely moving and beautiful. While "That's All the Lumber You Need" has hints of spirituality in it too.

So why is this CD not receiving the prestigous 5 star rating? Though Mattea had to be heartily congratulated for choosing songs with pensive, reflective and thoughtful lyrics, many a times the melodies are not up to parr. A few songs can be quite repetitious (e.g. "Guns of Love") and a bit crowded in its arrangement (e.g. "Junkyard" and "They are the Roses"). A more sparse arrangement with a more tone down drums would perhaps bring Mattea's warm voice crooning over its superb lyrics out a little more. Nevertheless, a thought provoking album of insightful songs with splashes of celtic and country influences.

I bought this CD because (being a Kim Richey fan) I wanted to hear Mattea's interpretation of Richey's "I'm Alright". What I found out is that the whole CD is mind-blowingly excellent! It has a Celtic vibe that gets the blood pumping and feet tapping and a gospel influence that is calming at the same time. For Celtic authenticity, Irish National whistle champion Joanie Madden from Cherish the Ladies appears on a couple of songs.

The CD kicks off with the upbeat "That's All the Lumber". "Guns of Love" is a standout, especially in these uncertain times, as is "Junkyard" - about the bombardment of trash we see and hear, even if we don't want to. The touching "Ashes in the Wind" is a true story and stunning in its simplistic arrangement. I love "We are the Roses" and "I'm Alright".

This whole CD is stunning and definitely worth the price.

Kathy Mattea's career has been a musical journey.
Her recent CD, ROSES is a continuation of that journey.
ROSES is her first CD for her new recording label, Narada.
On the CD, Kathy Mattea has matured past the confines of country music.
In that sense, the CD may be different from her ones in the past.
Yet, what you will find familiar is that, like her many earlier
CDs, the songs on ROSES are introspective, reflective and honest.

ROSES is a delightful CD to listen to.

Several of the songs on this CD make one pause, to look in the
mirror at one's own life. "Ashes in the Wind" (written by her
husband Jon Vezner) is a touching song about change, loss and the love which survives.
This song perfectly captures that moment of change and loss --
"Yet my life passed before me, in that passing glance /
And I knew I'd never be the same again" .
"Ashes in the Wind" serves as a reminder of just how precious life is.

The introspective song, "That's All the Lumber You Sent" intelligently reminds
us that what is "due to us" is directly related to what effort we
put forward.

The songs "Guns of Love" and "Junkyard" fit so very well with
the signs of our time. From "Guns of Love", we learn (or remember)
that "fighting fire with fire" may make us
feel better at first, but that policy is not the real answer.
In our age of information overload, that now almost anything goes
on television, movies and the internet, the reflective song, "Junkyard" effectively reminds
us that some very important things should remain safe and sacred away
from all the "gunk" in the world.

Also, thoroughly enjoyable is the song "I'm Alright" and the instrumental "Isle of Inishmore, Part 2."
"I'm Alright" celebrates the feeling of surviving the bumps and bruises we encounter -- despite being down at times, we can
still cherish being okay after all. While listening to "Isle of Inishmore", one can't
help but want to get up and dance to this lively jig.

ROSES may well be Kathy Mattea's most reflective CD yet. I give it an
A++.

In ROSES, Kathy comfortly reminds us, in a sincere and insightful way, that it is still
okay and pertinent to strive to be the better person we can be.

The wonderful journey continues!

Kathy Mattea has really outdone herself this time around.

Venturing out of the norm in music, Mattea creates the strongest album to hit the market in the last 10 years.

Always known for giving it her all, she provides a mellow Celtic felt album which has several stand out numbers that could very well be Grammy Calibur.

On Ashes In The Wind, we learn of a best friend who has gone to heaven, and the singer pours the emotion of loss into the song, with pure passion.

Who We Are is about a family being torn appart, and how though every thing can go wrong, some how some way, we can still forgive and bind together.

If you are wanting a fluffy country-pop album go buy Shania Twain, if you want something with meaning, and meat on it, This is the album for you! Highly recommended A+

I first met Kathy at Marshall Univeristy (Huntington, WV) back in 1977, when she came to visit a mutual friend and perform at our campus coffee house. I was immediately struck by her voice and talent. I instantly became a fan. I was thrilled when her first album came out in 1984. I can't say enough about her wonderful voice. I've added each of her albums to my collection over the years and always been amazed at her talent. "Roses" is by far one of Kathy's best. This is the Kathy I so fondly remember from all those years ago as I sat there listening for the first time in that college coffee house. You can tell this is a CD that Kathy has made free from the interference and medling of some Nashville record executive. I LOVE IT! Thanks Kathy for a great CD!!

If there is one thing I love about Kathy Mattea other than her incredible voice, it is that her music is neither predictable nor restricted to a formula. In this, she is reminiscent of folk legend Joan Baez, another of my favorite singers. With both of these women, the first listening of a new album is a truly delightful musical adventure. Such it was for me when first I listened to Mattea's "Roses". She hooked me with the first tract, "That's All the Lumber You Sent", with it's get-to-your-very-soul message and Irish licks. "Guns of Love" is a wonderful play on a word-GUN-that usually conjures up visions of violence. The Jon Vezner penned "Ashes in the Wind" pulls at the heartstrings and makes the listener ponder his/her own chosen road in life. "Junkyard" touches me deeply. It is so true, with today's media spewing "junk" at me constantly that I too find myself saying, "My mind is not a junkyard." "Isle of Irishmore" parts 1 and 2 carry me away to Ireland and it's lush green landscape. Mattea has filled this CD with a virtual musical mix. One hears Country, Celtic, and touches of Folk. All 12 songs are winners. "Roses" is one of Mattea's best albums. It is one that any true Mattea fan should not miss. Diane Meholick, author of the novel, "Painting Katherine".