You Gotta Sin to Get Saved [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Maria McKee

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 1997)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Geffen Gold Line Sp.
• ASIN: B000000P0N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,254 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Maria McKee's voice--equal parts Dolly and Aretha--had frequently been great, one song at a time, but it wasn't until You Gotta Sin that this former Lone Justice singer was perfect start to finish. McKee's best batch of songs ever are complimented here by the twisted guitar of Jayhawk Gary Louris, which matches McKee, scream for scream, especially on the closing title track where Maria sends packing the guy she's been chasing all along. She's all over the place--"I'm Gonna Soothe You" is soul, "Only Once" honky-tonk, "I Can't Make It Alone" hard-edged pop--but it all works because McKee has finally reconciled her spirituality with her need for the sensual, over-the-top anthem. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maria's best!, November 26, 1999

By	"hoglips" (Illinois, but dreaming of west Texas) - See all my reviews

I have been a fan of Maria's since the very first Lone Justice release. I own all of her subsequent work & can say wholeheartedly that this cd is her very best. The first thing one notices when listening to Lone Justice or Maria's solo cds is THE VOICE. There's simply no one else who sings the way she does. Her voice is marvelous. Someone once wrote that she's a perfect cross between Pat Benatar & Dolly Parton. Ugghh, you say? But wait, it's true! Her voice is powerful enough to rock and heartbreakingly tender. This particular cd has its' finest moment in the song "I Forgive You". Gospel-flavored song of redemption & forgiveness. Married with a killer horn section & swooping vocals. It'll make you weep. And sing along. Also great are the songs "I'm Gonna Soothe You" and the title track. I'd give this 6 *stars* if I could. As a long time fan of Lone Justice/Maria McKee; this is the one cd I pull out & listen to over & over. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this. I guarantee it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maria's Glory Shot, May 3, 2000

By	Johnny Bacardi (Horse Cave, KY United States) - See all my reviews

After the commercial failure of her occasionally brilliant but mostly tepid self-titled debut album, apparently Maria McKee decided upon a throw-enough-styles-at-the-wall-and-see-what sticks approach for her follow-up, presumably so she could perhaps give Geffen a successful, sales-wise album, but still be able to indulge her muse. So we get Maria-does-Patsy (Only Once), Maria-does-Motown (I'm Gonna Soothe You), Maria-does-gospel (I Forgive You), Maria-does-alt.country (Precious Time), and no less than two Van Morrison covers. And while she does them all well, there is a pervasive feeling of playing it conservative and taking no chances throughout this otherwise excellent album, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but one comes to expect a risk or two from Maria McKee; that she mostly fails to deliver here only subtracts from my enjoyment slightly.

The aforementioned Morrison covers are outstanding-especially My Lonely Sad Eyes (which I saw her perform on Chevy Chase's short-lived late night talk show!) which gets an almost Los Lobos style arrangement, and she does a swooping, frenzied rendition of Young Lovers Do (one of the few times she really cuts loose vocally here). I absolutely love I'm Gonna Soothe You, which is smooth and soulful, and the Jayhawks help make Precious Time a lovely country ballad. The album's closer and title track is a rollicking, enjoyable tune, and one imagines that they had a lot of fun recording that one.

Don't get me wrong-this is a great record. It's just a little more mainstream and safe than I like to hear from MM. And that alone might make YGSTGS the McKee album of choice for a lot of people. Of course, it might have been mine too if the commercial demise of YGSTGS had not prompted Maria to go on and record the brilliant, nervy Life Is Sweet, which is one of the bravest, most exciting records I've ever heard. Unfortunately, Life Is Sweet has been deleted, so you can't buy it except second-hand, but it's worth the effort to track down, believe me. So really, you should get You Gotta Sin To Be Saved, and you will enjoy it, but keep an eye out for Life Is Sweet as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soothes the Soul, February 23, 2006

By	J. Gemmill "Fan of music, movies and more." (Oreland, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Maria soothes the soul with this, her second solo album. Backed by the Jayhawks and old-friends from her Lone Justice days, she rips through the songs--some originals, some cover versions--with abandon. For proof, listen to "I'm Gonna Soothe You," which basically wraps you in its warmth. "My touch is gentle, my body is warm ..." she sings, stepping out from the speakers. She's sexy, saucy, inviting and sweet all at once; and envelops you with her passion. Further proof: Her wondrous remake of the Goffin-King classic "I Can't Make It Alone"; and her raucous ode to her Lone Justice days, "My Girlhood Among the Outlaws." A true classic - and for $7, a no-brainer. Buy it.