Search - Janie Fricke :: Bluegrass Sessions (Bonus Dvd)

Alluring "Sessions"

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: She's Single Again, You Don't Know Love, Tell Me a Lie



"The Bluegrass Sessions" is a parsimonious gathering of a few acoustic playing musicians with Fricke performing thirteen of her hits and album cuts culled from Fricke's albums from her 80s heydays right up till last year's "Tribute to Our Heroes." Despite being recorded over an amazing three day period (from 4/26/04 - 4/28/04), this album is by no means a slip slop, half-baked endeavor. With producer Bil VornDick-who mined similar territory for Ralph Stanley-providing the album's musical muscle, the album is understated, heartfelt and frankly, impressive. With the uncluttered sounding instrumentation, Fricke's voice is at the front and center of the mix. And Fricke sure has some affective pipes-she sings with an aching acquiescence common to some of her country music peers such as Tanya Tucker and Loretta Lynn. Such a vocal texture certainly served the former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year well on lachrymose ballads such as "Tell Me a Lie" and "It Ain't Easy Being Easy." Not since the late Tammy Wynette has anyone been able to so deftly expound on the loneliness as Fricke. Her performance here is par excellence-emotionally affecting, rich in intonations and nuanced with depth and dimension.



"You Don't Know Love," a Reba McEntire-ish ballad is the current single as well as a re-cut of her number 4 1984 hit. Revolving around the theme of kissing off an uncommitted lover, "You Don't Know Love" belies the bitter after taste of a love gone wrong. A nifty choice for the first single and to date the video has done very well on some country channels. Exhibiting a sense of fragility and quiet desperation, Fricke's rendition of Joe Souther's forlorn ballad "Faithless Love" is given a taut, but emotive reading. A little more optimistic is Johnny Cash's tribute to undying love "Ring of Fire" (which first appeared together with "Faithless Love" on Fricke's previous CD "Tribute to Our Heroes"), but somehow such sanguinity failed to be communicated through Fricke's tear-stained vocals.



On the lighter side is Fricke's number 2 1985 country hit "She's Single Again." As "She's Single Again" is sine qua nom to Fricke's repertoire, she must have performed this hit a zillion times in the (nearly) past decade. However, Fricke's performance here is still fresh and filled with verve showing that she has not lost the coy and sassiness inherent in this tale of a femme fatale who is still men hunting after her fourth or fifth divorce. Though John Schweers' "Do Me With Love," may not be the best worded song, Fricke offers a spirited performance augmented by some romantic sounding mandolin courtesy of Andy Leftwich.



Clocking in just a few minutes over half an hour, these 13 songs are concise, yet packed with heartfelt emotions. However, in view of the length of this album, I was wondering if it was Fricke's idea or DM Records conscious decision to just re-hash Fricke's greatest hits, albeit re-recorded in an acoustic setting. What about a couple of new songs? It's a rare treat that Fricke would grace us with an album, so what about a couple of new songs? Also, it would also be nice if Fricke could include a few more of her minor hits or album cuts. Over the years, Fricke has recorded some stellar album cuts and minor hits (such as "He's Out of My Life," "Lonely People," "But Love Me" amongst others) that are not available today, while many of her hits are available through the various assorted "greatest hits" collections. Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles; "Bluegrass Sessions" are sessions worthy of our undivided attention."

Best in years

Picacho | Arizona | 07/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Remakes but better than the originals. The music enhances her voice and makes it more distinctive. The songs stay with you. "Down To My Last Broken Heart" is a classic. Getting lots of play on XM and you will see why.

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