[.ca] Willow in the Wind

Too small serving:
I have to say right off that Kathy Mattea's voice is the best substitute for a long soak in the tub I can think of, and the music on this CD is a good display of that. However, I felt ripped off by this CD. It comes in at just over 30 minutes, and cost the same as others that come in at nearly 60. I felt cheated. If I'd bought it now, at the lower price, maybe I wouldn't. Be warned. Great musical dish, skimpy portions.

Great Country Album with Kathy's Signature Song:
"Willow In The Wind" is one of Kathy Mattea's best albums and includes her signature song, "Where've You Been." Kathy has a very warm, expressive voice with beautiful tone and nowhere is this more evident than on this amazing song. "Where've You Been" is one of the finest country ballads written--right up there with "I Fall To Pieces"--and even though I've listened to it many times over the years, it is still as touching as the first time I heard it. Other highlights on this album are "Come From The Heart," "She Came From Fort Worth," and "True North." If you buy only one of Kathy's albums, I would suggest her Collection of Hits, which I think is even better overall. However, I definitely recommend "Willow In The Wind" for the other songs not in her Collection. Kathy Mattea is one of the few country artists (Trisha Yearwood and Dolly Parton are others) where it is really worth exploring the full catalog of albums to find those hidden gems not included in the greatest hits compilations. If you are building a collection of Kathy's music, this CD is a great addition.

Early Kathy Mattea - one of her best:
We have most of Kathy Mattea's albums and have enjoyed her in concert twice. This is probably our favorite CD of hers. Simple, eloquent country songs sung by a great talent.

An excellent album from the eighties:
This album contains four major country hits but only one of them made it on to the American version of A collection of hits. In Europe, an expanded 13-track collection was released adding the other three but this version is long out of print. So this album, apart from being a high quality original album, also serves as hits volume 2. The one track that made it onto the American hits collection is Where've you been, which has become Kathy's signature song. However, in this particular song it is the lyrics that people seem to love - they relate to the sentiments expressed. The other hits were all upbeat, catchy songs - Come from the heart, Burning old memories and She came from Fort Worth Texas. Of the other songs, my favorite is Hills of Alabam. No surprise, really, as this was written and originally recorded by my favorite bluegrass singer, Claire Lynch, who adds backing vocals. Claire's own version can be found on an untitled album by the Front porch string band, of which she was lead singer. The title track is also excellent, as are Here's hoping, True north, Love chooses you and I'll take care of you. While I slightly prefer her two previous albums (Walk the way the wind blows, Untasted honey), there isn't much to choose between the three and those two are better represented on that hits collection. So if you already have that, this should be the next Kathy Mattea album on your shopping list.

• Come from the Heart
• Here's Hopin'
• Burnin' Old Memories
• She Came from Fort Worth
• True North
• Hills of Alabam'
• Willow in the Wind
• Love Chooses You
• I'll Take Care of You
• Where've You Been