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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another brilliant creation from Emmylou Harris., January 19, 2000
BRAND NEW DANCE is so over-burdened with criticism that it is too often ignored. Yes, BRAND NEW DANCE is not LUXURY LINER or BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL but few albums by any artist come close. Part of the problem is the album is misunderstood, because several key phases of Emmylou Harris' career aren't represented on CD. Too many people lost touch with Emmylou Harris after her "Five Classic Country-Rock Albums Period". Warner Bros. Records deserves a generous amount of criticism for this. Only five of her eleven 1980s albums are printed on Domestic CD. ROSES IN THE SNOW, PROFILE II, ANGEL BAND, BLUEBIRD, and DUETS are all that remain from a major period in Emmylou Harris' artistic crusade. The out-of-print records are very important because with them BRAND NEW DANCE seems a lot more important than most critics make it out to be. First and foremost, her career was not on a downslide, she was experimenting with different projects, suceeding artistically, but unfortuantely, not always commercially. BRAND NEW DANCE is not her best, but she doesn't have a worst. It fits all the qualifications for an Emmylou Harris album. 1)All the songs have an impact. 2)All the songs are consistant. 3)Several songs have a major artistic statement. There are a lot more. "Wheels Of Love" is a majestic opening track, it flawlessly performed, with terrific harmonies. She presents a marvelous version of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest", it has country flavoring, but still retains its rock feel. "In His World" to me drags the flow of the album down, but does have a bouncy dream feel. "Sweet Dreams Of You" is excellent, a very enjoyable song. "Easy For You To Say" is a gorgeous country ballad. "Rollin' And Ramblin'" is a major artistic statement, and a brilliant display of a piece of Country Music history. Emmylou Harris brings the song alive, making it an irresistible number. "Better Off Without You" is a beautiful song of heartbreak, about walking a way from a dysfunctional romance. She delievers a sensational version of the Rock 'n' Roll classic "Never Be Anyone Else But You", she makes the song her own. "Brand New Dance" is an exceptional song. "Red Red Rose" is a wonderful love song. If you're not famliar with Emmylou Harris, you're better off starting with BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL, ELITE HOTEL, WRECKING BALL, BLUEBIRD, or LUXURY LINER. Don't write BRAND NEW DANCE off, but it would sound a lot different if we had copies of the old recordings (i.e. CIMARRON, THIRTEEN, LAST DATE, etc.) to refer to.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't listen to the critics, January 12, 2004
When BRAND NEW DANCE was released in 1990, the critics didn't like it and it was given bad reviews all around. True - it is not her best album. She makes so many good albums it's hard to compare this album to newer classics like RED DIRT GIRL, or older ones like ROSES IN THE SNOW. This is still a good album. Her version of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest", is worth the price of admission. I think this album was mostly a transition, between her past albums and what was to come. She sounds great, although the material isn't the best, there's still some gems like the title track, "Red, Red Rose" and "Better Off Without You". Not her best, but still worth a listen.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underappreciated, April 6, 2003
Many hail Emmylou Harris' 1990 album BRAND NEW DANCE, her worst album. I think it is an unfair comparison. To compare this album against albums like RED DIRT GIRL, WRECKING BALL or ROSES IN THE SNOW, is simply unfair. This album has its own flow and beauty, and its own appeal. It opens with the single "Wheels of Love", and is followed by Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest". "In His World" is a beautiful, almost magical song. THe title track is an album highlight, as is the album closer "Red, Red Rose". True, it is not her strongest effort, but there are some true gems to be found if you listen to this album. Other highlights include "Better Off Without You", "Never Be Anyone Else But You" and "Easy For You To Say". Don't believe all the negativity, don't believe what you read, listen and form your own opinions about BRAND NEW DANCE, you might be surprised.
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