The Innocent Years

Kathy Mattea

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mercury Nashville
• ASIN: B00004T9SD
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #168,562 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Innocent Years

2. Trouble With Angels

3. Why Can't We

4. Prove That by Me

5. Callin' Out My Name

6. Out of the Blue

7. I Have Always Loved You

8. (Love Is) My Last Word

9. Trust Me

10. That's the Deal

11. Innocent Years (Reprise)

12. Bonus Track: BFD [*]

13. [CD-ROM Track]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though barely past 40 on this disc, Kathy Mattea, best known for sentimental hits like "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Where've You Been," has obviously been feeling some of the pangs of midlife. Themes of loss, atonement, and spiritual reckoning echo through 2000's The Innocent Years, her first album in three years and one of her very best ever. Mattea possesses a warm, magnificently expressive alto that has suffered comparisons (both fair and unfair) to Canadian singer Anne Murray's amiable purr. Yet Mattea has seldom sounded so impassioned, inspired, and delightfully contemporary as she does on this exquisite song collection. The title tune reaches far beyond poignant nostalgia and captures a painful inner yearning for spiritual rejuvenation and the rebirth of innocence. Throughout Mattea translates her spiritual and emotional quest into a deeply satisfying journey for her listeners as well. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voice of an Angel, June 8, 2000

By	Richard (Thunder Bay, Ontario) - See all my reviews

It's too bad the mass buying public seems to be drawn toward ear candy, as in Shania, Faith etc. It is also too bad that country radio and the country music fans don't get to hear enough of Kathy Mattea. She is the genuine article. This is what country music should be, meaningful, thought provoking, sung with so much feeling. This cd is definitely her best yet. There are no throw aways on this one. Her voice just gets better and better. Standouts are That's the Deal and I Will Always Love You. These are love songs. I think even if you are not a country music fan you will thoroughly enjoy this collection of songs with intelligent lyrics and performed by one of the best singers in any genre. I have just turned 50 and these song speak to me.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kathy Has Never Sounded Better!, May 30, 2000

By	Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

"The Innocent Years" is the best new country CD I've heard in years. Maybe even one of the best any style! What we have here is a mature and passionate performance by a lady whose voice has long been underrated and lost in the shuffle of the new "young and pretty" singers like Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Leann Rimes, etc. This album's songs are very well written and impeccably produced and performed. She'll have you tapping your foot and swaying to such delightful tunes as "The Trouble with Angels" and the hilariously clever "BFD." She'll then bring you down to some wonderful introspective moments on such tunes as "I Have Always Loved You," "That's the Deal" and "The Innocent Years". Truly, a remarkable performance by Kathy Mattea---her voice has matured with a stunning result. This is a must have CD!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another strong performance by a very talented artist, May 19, 2000

By A Customer

While I have never been a country music fan, I am definitely a Kathy Mattea fan. She has an exceptionally strong voice and the lyrics aren't the run of the mill pap that I normally associate with country music (there are no songs about killin' Earl). Songs like "Why Can't We" really shine. This CD, like the last few that she has released, is fantastic. I place her in the same category as Matraca Berg; a wonderful voice that deserves a much wider audience. Please tour Minnesota!