Sweet Talk & Good Lies

Heather Myles

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 25, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B000068G8I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,627 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A critics' darling before alt-country existed, Heather Myles released her debut album in 1992, and in the 10 years since, she's cemented her place as the West Coast's distaff Dwight Yoakam, down to the posed photos and ripped jeans. She records with his sidemen and, on this album, duets with the man himself. Her talents, however, stand on their own. The catch in her throaty voice, as subtle as a neon sign, infuses each number (all but two here are originals) with passion and immediacy, be it a glib throwaway like "Big Cars" or the acerbic "Nashville's Gone Hollywood." Myles, always framed by rock-ribbed twang, avoids pretense, yet "The Love You Left Behind" deftly exposes her softer, more nuanced side. Her inspired covers of Glen Campbell's hit "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and Julie London's 1950s torch song "Cry Me a River" only underscore her passion for excellence. Sadly, she has yet to find a broader audience and this, her finest effort to date, only drives home that injustice. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bakersfield and other places of the heart, July 19, 2002

By	Jerome Clark (Canby, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Heather Myles's smart, assured approach to Bakersfield-school country puts her at the head of the class. She's no slouch as a songwriter, either. "One Man Woman Again" is a deceptively simple song. At first, casual listening, it's an answer to the Johnny Horton classic "I'm a One Woman Man," but on subsequent, more careful listening, it reveals itself to be an astonishingly nuanced evocation of a fleeting, painful encounter with an old lover. Like the finest country songs (e.g., Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens's "Just Between the Two of Us"), it has the resonance of a short story.

Myles practically reinvents Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," drawing the listener inexorably into the narrator's growing sense of loss and distance. Has a better version ever been recorded? I doubt it. There are some good times here, too: the playful "Big Cars," a celebration of exactly that, and the Buddy Holly-flavored "One and Only Lover." "Little Chapel," a jaunty, irresistible duet with Dwight Yoakam, will make you smile even as you suspect that this union will not stand. Only the tedious "The Love You Left Behind" sounds ready for Hot Country radio, and thus becomes the album's one instantly disposable cut.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing short of perfection....., March 12, 2006

By	Jess "Jess" (Coal Country, PA) - See all my reviews

Another fine Heather Myles album. Where would country music be today without the likes of Heather Myles? This is a 13 song CD that is hardcore country from start to finish; all blessed with the finest modern female voice in Country Music. Included is her tribute to the Nashville crap being sold today under the guise of country music, "Nashville's Gone Hollywood". There's also the Dwight Yoakam duet on "Little Chapel", and a fine rendition of Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"....actually, I'd put Heather's version well above the original. This album has the usual recipe of Heather's straight forward, no apologies, music, and is best seen in: "Homewrecker Blues", and "Sweet Little Dangerous". I have no doubt that Heather Myles would enjoy the acceptance and promotional backing of mainstream Nashville, but I'm thankful she's staying the course. It's almost impossible to find music like this anymore. A+

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MISS HEATHER,HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!, September 21, 2002

By	Tex (Texas) - See all my reviews

Tex's Comments: Folks,I think this Cowgirl has proven to bring
lots of excellent taste in her music,And she can back it up
Excellent Singing Cowgirl that really can belt out that great good old tradional country music,She has the ability to know how
to put words together,and really put music to it,
Ive heard Buck Owens say one time,If you know how to write music,
like for instance,Tiger By The Tail,as he always said,lets put
some music to it.Well that just proves that Miss Heather,she has
done the same thing as Mr.Buck Owens has always said.Thats
what made Miss Heather's new cd do very well in the country charts.I might add that this new cd Sweet Talk & Good Lies,are
doing very excellent in the radio stations & the country musical
charts.