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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark As Dungeon but Beautiful as A Pine-topped Mountain..., May 28, 2008
The albums UNTASTED HONEY and TIME PASSES BY were always the standard I held Kathy Mattea to, and they are both from a much earlier period in her career. Continuing to buy Mattea's CD's now and then, I had grown resigned that she just couldn't surpass those two high water marks, where folk met country and country met bluegrass and everything was blended beautifully by that powerful voice. She's had some great songs through the years since then, and good records, too, don't get me wrong. But now, finally, Mattea has reached a new career touchstone.
As Patty Loveless and Dolly Parton have done before her, Kathy has returned to her roots, and like them, she has set a new standard for herself. This record is so gorgeous, it's hard to be objective about its dark subject. The instrumentals, singing and song selections reveal themselves quickly, though, leaving no doubt that this is a labor of love. And while I'm gushing, let me also say that Mattea is doing the most sensitive and dynamic singing of her life, and it's brought to life through a very crisp and clear recording that captures her warmth in deep, rich tones. As others have written on these pages, Kathy Mattea comes from coal, and knows her subject deeply. This may also account for the extra emotion that fuels her voice throughout this work. It sounds both effortless and soulful, a hallmark of artistry that has reached full maturity.
Now, depressing as some ot the subject matter is, here, I just can't help but be moved by the beauty of these songs, and Mattea's singing. Many of the songs are associated with other artists and some of the songs are very old. Utah Phillips' "Green Rolling Hills" contains instrumental strains of "Wildwood Flower." Judy Collins recorded "Coal Tattoo" on an early album, and Kathy easily holds her own in comparison, supported by a fiddle-driven arrangement. Mattea speeds up "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive," which Patty Loveless included so perfectly on her MOUNTAIN SOUL album. It's nice that Mattea didn't dry to copy it, but made it her own, and yet respectfully so. Many artists have recorded "Dark As A Dungeon." Merle Travis (its writer), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Dolly Parton all made some beautiful recordings of the song, and this is the only one on COAL that is bested by those earlier versions. Still, this track bears the grace of Kathy Mattea's unique style. Less atmospheric and folksier, in the early part, than Dolly's arrangement was, it nevertheless grew on me as I listened, and then, there it was: the entire mood, both earthy and ethereal. It's a superb performance from Kathy. "The Coming Of the Roads" was also recorded by Judy Collins and memorably by Peter, Paul & Mary, but here Kathy steals their thunder. What a sweet, sad and perfectly sung piece of folk loveliness! Those godmothers and godfathers of folk would be proud of this performance, if they ever heard it ... as would Jean Ritchie, if she could hear the two songs of hers which start this album off so grippingly.
The CD ends with an appropriate, accapella vocal of Hazel Dickens' "Black Lung," followed by a mournful instrumental, "Coal," put together as one track. This nearly perfect concept album is, after all, about the livelihood, the land (both below and above the ground), and most of all, the humanity of those whose work often, ultimately, kills them. Mattea loves this land and these people, but she does not flinch in the face of reality, showing the bad with the good, and without passing judgment. This shows the true depth of her respect, helping to make listening to this collection a transcendent experience for me. I don't claim to have any firsthand knowledge of that which Mattea sings, but due to her ability to paint these portraits and landscapes with her multi-colored voice, it sure feels as though she has given me a window to see this other world through.
If you are a Kathy Mattea fan, but prefer her more peppy pop hits (no disrespect meant), you should buy this CD with caution. But if you just love Kathy Mattea, period, then you owe yourself a copy of this little gem; it's truly a diamond cut from coal.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Among her best..., April 6, 2008
Kathy Mattea's "Coal" is an album of coal mining songs. Having come from West Virgina Mattea knows a thing or two about the life of a coal miner. The songs on here are all pretty bleak and as dark as the coal of which they were written about. The album is not depressing however. Many of these songs of been recorded by many others, but Mattea makes them her own with her beautiful vocals. There isn't a weak track on here, the entire album from start to finish is an incredible piece of work. However the most incredible track on here is the final track, "Black Lung" sung a capella Mattea is breathtaking.
"Coal" is the first album released on Mattea's own "Captain Potato Records" (say "Kathy Mattea" real fast and you'll understand where she got the name of her label from) and is produced beautifully by Marty Stuart. As with other artists who have been dropped from a major label and gone out and released their music thru their own labels, Mattea is free to do the music she likes and it shows on every track. Although "Coal" could very well be the best album she's every made, it does rank up there with her "Time Passes By", "Lonesome Standard Time" and "Love Travels" albums as well as her Christmas album, "Good News".
If you're a fan of Kathy Mattea you will love this album.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Renditions of some classic material, April 10, 2008
Kathy Mattea definitely knows her way around music. And, like Patty Loveless with "Mountain Soul", I always love when a performer goes back to their roots. I mean literal roots, where they grew up and the music that permeated their childhood. You know you're going to get genuine, "really been there because I lived it" music. While Loveless has the plaintive thing down better, Kathy still works the material very well.
I can't say that every single song is a gem, but from only one listen, I know this has no lumps of coal (sorry); all the songs are well done and are tributes to the writers, other performers and especially to the people about whom these were written.
You can hear when there is love involved in a music project because the performances are more vital and alive; the artist and their accompanying musicians are vested in the performances because they know this music as though it is part of the very fabric of their being -- because it is. That's when you get an album like this.
So, yes, this is definitely a keeper and one of Kathy's best efforts.
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~ Emmylou Harris
~ Patty Loveless
~ Kathy Mattea
~ Plant, Robert/Krauss, Alison
~ George Strait
by Kathy Mattea 
