Customer Reviews

Show Me How

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having read all of the impressive media reviews of Lorrie's new album, I was eagerly awaiting my initial impression upon plopping this CD in my player for that first-time spin. Let me say, wholeheartedly, that I was not disappointed! Releasing a new CD on a "not major" label when you're a veteran female in the world of country music may not be cause for much excitement in some circles; however, when your vocal talent has matured to a higher plane and you have a whopping amount of life's lessons to express in your music (to an audience hungry for some real "grit" in their country songs) well, it's cause for a real celebration! But let me say that this CD is not strictly country in its production. I feel like Lorrie has reinvented herself somewhat with this collection--giving her fans what we have come to love about her best music in the past, but adding another dimension musically and lyrically that makes you do a double take and say, "Gee...I didn't know she could do that!" I loved the title cut, "Show Me How" with its fresh, pop arrangement. Likewise, "Us Girls" is a song you'll be humming long after the last line...a real female "buddy" tune without a doubt (I can see a great video based on this one!) "Frank" is cute and playful--a tune many women can identify with. And "Bombshell" sounds like the lament of every woman over 40, a humorous comparison of effortless youthful attraction vs. the bodily trials of getting older. But the one tune that moved me the most is probably, "I Can Count On You". It's not what you think based on the title, and the simple arrangement with just Lorrie's haunting voice and piano will really tug at the emotions. This song also shows her vocal power, persuasiveness and range more than any other song I've ever heard her perform. When she hits those low notes--well, you really feel how "down" bad love can take you. No, I didn't like every tune here, but 90% of them are gems. Teaming with her one-time producer, Richard Landis, was a smart move, and it shows. To sum it up, buy this if you're a Lorrie fan. If you've never experienced her music, this is the right place to start. Laughs, heart, admirable honesty, and some good music--all in one CD!

I was a fan of Lorrie during her prime, but like many...I drifted away after her "Shakin' Things Up" album in 1997. It was a good record..but the subsequent works were uninspired both in song selection and performance.

Lorrie's voice is so interesting..it was a shame to see her even sound bored. Furthermore..the duets with Sammy Kershaw lacked any personality..with the exception of the minor hit "He Drinks Tequila".

Luckily she has redeemed herself with "Show Me How". Her baritone is completely intact and stronger than ever. Song selection is her strongest since "Greater Need" in 1996..and could be her most solid work to date, in my book only rivaling her 1992 smash "Watch Me".

I hope this gets some spins because it's as good as anything that come out of Nashville by a female performer in a while. I'm a diehard fan of both Martina and Reba, and this album is better than either of their recent efforts.

"Frank" deserves more airplay than it's getting - this ranks as one of Lorrie's finest moments. But if you aren't Toby Keith or Tim McGraw, you can't get on country radio. Shame..

I heartily recommend this cd. If you love country music by contemporary female artists, you will not go wrong with this album.

If you are a fan of Lorrie this CD is a must. If you are a fan of female country singers but never really listened to Lorrie before, this CD is also a must! Lorrie's performances on this CD are some of her best ever and prove she is not only at the top of her game, but that she can hold her own and then some with any of the current big selling country ladies like Martina or Shania. The great reviews of this CD from Billboard on down the line are dead on. I can't remember when I have seen so many glowingly positive reviews about one CD in such a long time. Everyone is loving it! This is a great collection of songs and Lorrie does an awesome job delivering them with heart and sometimes with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure. The entire CD is outstanding, but the first 5 songs are just about the best of Lorrie's career. "Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink (Frank)?" is a hoot taking up where "What Part Of No" left off with Lorrie fending off a male admirer at a bar telling him all about her life as a divorced, single mom. "Used" is a song about living life and learning to not be so critical about your mistakes and your past thinking you are "Used", because "who isn't?". It's amazingly touching without being the least bit overdramatic, mostly because of Lorrie's amazing delivery of the lyrics. And on "Bombshell" Lorrie delivers a funny, but yet still poignant performance, about getting older, "...bathing suit season is creepin' up like an assasin. Can't help but wonder how I'm gonna fit my...Aaask me not what I'm gonna do, It appears to be all going down hill. And that's hard on a bombshell." This CD is outstanding. Buy it and enjoy!

Having been a huge Lorrie fan since about 1991 when I was a senior in High School, I was awaiting this cd with apprehension. Her last full studio album was I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE with solos and duets by Lorrie and her now ex-husband, Sammy Kershaw. This cd is perfection!!! Every track shows her in perfect vocals and her emotional depth is what I always knew she was capable of and finally pulled off! The highlight on this cd is the heart-wrenching I CAN COUNT ON YOU....one listen to this gorgeous ballad and you will know what I mean! It is just Lorrie and a piano, allowing her voice to shine through and not be overshadowed by production which plagues so many albums by various singers! Then there is the playful first single, DO YOU STILL WANT TO BUY ME THAT DRINK, FRANK! WINNER!!!!! Other uptempo tracks are BOMBSHELL, US GIRLS and ONE LESS MONKEY......and the awesome ballads USED and ANOTHER WINTER WITHOUT YOU. The standout social issues track is ROCKS dealing with racism, homophobia, hatred in general!! Awesome!!!! Lorrie has scored a major homerun here!!!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!! Love it!

Lorrie Morgan is back with a vengeance. This is the best CD of her career. I have beena fan for a long time, and will admit it seemed like her heart wasnot in the last few projects. But this one, she co-produced with Richard Landis (who produced some of ehr biggest hits). "Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink (Frank)" is out at radio now as the first single. A song that is haunting is "I Can Count On You", which is gorgeous. This is going to be the second single. Other stand-outs are "Show Me How", "Used", "Bombshell", and "Another Winter Without You". Lorrie really shows growth on this CD.

I waited a long time for this album and I have to say it was well worth the wait. Lorrie has never sounded better. Her choice of songs is exceptional with just the right mix of funny and ballad. I hope we won't have as long a wait for the next one but if we do I will not grow tired of listening to this album. I highly reccomend it

As a devoted Lorrie Morgan fan, I eagerly awaited the arrival of Show Me How. I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic album. Her voice is brilliant on all the tracks and mostly the song choice is very good. I was disappointed with the albums "Shaking Things Up" and "I Finally Found Someone". "My Heart" was a little better but these were definitely not to the standard of some of her earlier albums in her recording career, including "Leave The Light On", "Something In Red", "Watch Me" and "Greater Need". This album is definitely Lorrie at her best, and she re-captures the old magic she had with most of her earlier works including "Five Minutes", "Dear Me", "Autumn's Not That Cold", "We Both Walk", "I Guess You Had To Be There", "What Part of No" and "Standing Tall", to name just a few. My favourites on this new album are "Used", "Another Winter Without You", and "I Can Count On You". Another good track is "Charlie and Betty", written by Lorrie herself, which lyrically compares to the smash hit "Something in Red", only I definitely prefer this new track. In fact the whole album (with the exception of One Less Monkey - yuk) is exceptional. I would say to any Lorrie Morgan fans that have not yet bought this album, go buy it you will not be disappointed. To anyone who does not yet know of Lorrie Morgan (unfortunately at the moment that is most people in the UK) I would say buy this album and you are in for a treat.

Lorrie Morgan is back on top with this much anticipated album, "Show Me How". At 44, most female voices start showing signs of wear and tear...not true with Lorrie. Her voice is flawless and strong and her life experiences show through on every song in this album. This very well could be one of Lorrie's best CD's to date! Standouts on the CD are "I Can Count On You" a beautiful heartbreaking ballad about love gone wrong (Lorrie's voice is PERFECTION on this song and this is the type of song that made Lorrie Morgan the best female performer in Country Music today); "Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink, Frank" is one of Lorrie's best radio songs yet! Call your local radio stations NOW to request it!; "Another Lonely Winter"...a touching ballad about life alone after the loss of a loved one brings a tear to my eye; and "Charlie & Betty"...a bittersweet lovesong with the tone of true country roots with a little touch of bluegrass (written by Lorrie Morgan herself). Other favorites on this album are "Used", "Bombshell" (all women over thirty something will LOVE THIS SONG); and the album's title cut "Show Me How". You CANNOT go wrong with this CD if you are a Lorrie Morgan fan. And, if you've never heard Lorrie....you'll be hooked once you listen to this CD. Trust me, you'll be going out and buying every record ever recorded by this lovely lady! FIVE STARS!! BRAVO!!!

Lorrie Morgan has done it again with a great album! I have listened to it non-stop since getting my hands on it! If you have ever liked Lorrie Morgan, or been interested in her career at all, you must own this album! All of the big reviews (Billboard, All Music Guide, etc.) have called it one of the best in her career, and I would agree. It is a great mixture of music and a great mix of sounds. Each track is unique, and you can really feel the love that Lorrie. the musicians, producers, and writers have put into the album. Take it from me... It is worth the buy!

Prime Cuts: I Can Count on You, The Wedding, Another Winter Without You

No longer a dreary eyed girl wishing for the pot at the end of every romantic rainbow, "Show Me How" is a collection of songs sung from the perspective of a woman who has been as Morgan herself calls it "used." Unapologetically, Morgan explores various issues facing any middle aged woman. Lamenting over the diastrous effects of aging, "Bombshell" has some killer lines like: "yeah, bathing suit season's creepin' up like an assassin." One cannot help but smile at the wry humor as Morgan sings in the same song, "I used to look cool perched up on a stoo with all the boys flockin' around. But now I'm a sucker for a honk from a trucker."

Lead single, "Do You Still Wanna Buy Me a Drink (Frank)?" deals with the issue of dating for a single mother who has a 15 year old who thinks of her mom as a "witch." "Frank" is a great followup to Morgan's previous number one hit "What Part of No." It is upbeat, humorous a song about brushing off a potential suitor who was no prepared to date a middle aged mother. However, unlike "What Part of No," "Frank" does not have the instant melodious appeal as "What Part of No." "Frank" is a little too wordy and melodically inferior to "What Part of No."

Angela Kaset, the singer-songwriter, who was responsible for one of Morgan's biggest hits "Something in Red" has three entries here. The best of which is the satirical "I Can Always Count on You." Backed with a simple piano arangement, Richard Landis, Morgan's producer, has my kudos for producing one of Morgan's most elegant ballad ever. Sung with deep emotions, Morgan's voice has never sounded better. Indeed, the ballads are the highlights here. Besides "Count on You," equally emotive is the sad and pensive "Another Winter Without You."

Morgan herself has a hand in writing "Charlie and Betty." A midtempo tale about the evolving phases in a couple's life--from falling in love to marriage to divorce and to death. Each stage signified by a different color of dress, a song that lyrically brings back to mind Morgan's big hit "Something in Red."

Yet, there are songs that leave me wanting. "Us Girls" is a all-girls pow wow song that has pervaded country music nowadays (Reba's "Big Sister" and Martina McBride's recent top 10, "This One's for the Girls"). Yet "Us Girls" adds little to this overused theme. Despite being written by popster Jessica Simpson, the title track is perhaps a song reject from Simpson's own recording session. Again, Morgan is capable of selecting better uptempo material rather than rejects.

Morgan is back in fine form vocally. She still can hint the long notes despite her vocal problems of late. Even Sammy Kershaw, her hubby from her tumultous marriage, gets a mention in the liner notes and appears in one of the inlay photos with Morgan. The ballads, as usual, are par excellence. My only complain is the uptempo songs need to be more melodious and more arresting if Morgan wants to return back to the top rungs of the chart. Overall, a satisfying and rich album that touches the heart.