Search - Kathy Mattea :: Right Out of Nowhere

Music Coming Right Out of Mattea's Heart

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 10/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Right Out of Nowhere, I Hope You're Happy Now, Give It Away



Despite the ebbs and flows of the changing soundcape of country music--be it the horrid Line Dancing faze or the current Muzik Mafia assault--Kathy Mattea has remained steadfast. Ever since her inaugural CD in 1984, Mattea has anchored her music in her brand of folk-country without amercing to blatant commercialism. Hence, she has left behind a rich legacy of memorial tales that capture lives' most bodacious moments: Who would forget the fairytale romance at the "Five and Dime" ("Love at the Five and Dime") or the gal whose dreams were bigger than Texas ("She Came From Fort Worth")? Though there's nothing quite as piquant as the aforementioned hits, "Right Out of Nowhere" has its share of tunes that ought to continue to intrigue, inspire and harbor bittersweet memories.



Self-produced, "Right Out of Nowhere" is perhaps Mattea's most personal record to date. Coming right off a difficult time (her parents' death and a near breakup of her lengthy marriage), "Right Out of Nowhere" is therapeutic in many ways to Mattea and anyone who has had been through tribulations. Dealing with the theme of venturing into the unknown future, Mattea's warm alto is seasoned with a quiet affirmation of faith as she tackles the acoustic sounding title track. As if she was singing right to herself, the Celtic-flavored "Love's Not Through With Me Yet," offers assurance of love's entangling powers. Most welcomed is fellow artist Suzy Bogguss' harmony vocals which adds support like the presence of a much needed old friend in a time of want. The theme of making most of life (a perennial concern in Mattea's catalog) surfaces again in the celebratory Harley Allen-penned "Live It," underscored by some relentless sounding jaw harp and harmonica.



But, the album's most intimate comes in its quieter moments: Angela Kaset and Skip Ewing's "I Hope You're Happy Now" easily takes the spotlight. An intense piano based ballad, "I Hope You're Happy Now" finds Mattea running into her ex's new woman only to find that he has dumped her too --the remainder of the song finds Mattea berating this Casanova for his heartlessness and lack of commitment. This is heart-wrenching stuff and from the first note, this track spells "hit." But in Mattea's musical world, not everything ends on a bitter note: "Give It Away," a ballad co-written by Mattea's hubby Jon Vezner, offers forgiveness to a brawling couple. While the philosophical "Only Heaven Knows" finds Mattea committing the mystery of suffering to the hands of the Divine.



However, despite being quite a stellar album, there were a few misfires. Though Mattea is to be congratulated for her gutsy move in offering an acoustic read of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," it's not the most quintessential track from their catalog. On "Hurt Some" she offers some timely advice to women about relationships, but her exhortations falls flat due to the song's lack of a strong melody line. Also, her bluegrassy take of the traditional gospel "Wade in the Water" is predictable at best. Overall, the pride and place of "Right Out of Nowhere" resides in Mattea's heartfelt nuances that she brings to these songs. Further, "I Hope You're Happy Now" is such a gorgeously heartbreaking ballad that would be enough reason to purchase this CD."

A hit right out of somewhere

K. Sprinkle | Danville, Kentucky USA | 09/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long-time Kathy Mattea fan, I have anticipated this CD for a long time. And it does not disappoint. This is simply the best CD of her long and storied career. The CD is a wondrous mix of the passionate, the sad, the uplifting, but mostly it is very thought-provoking. My personal favorite song on the CD is Give It Away. Kathy's road band plays on the CD and they are as great on the CD as they are in concert, lending a delightful mixture of instruments on the various cuts."

You're gonna hurt some...but not while listening to Kathy an

Willa Shaffer | Reston, VA USA | 09/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll admit it....I'm not the most objective person when it comes to Kathy Mattea, but that is because my heart loves, needs, must have music! And in listening to a broad spectrum of music, I became a Kathy Mattea fan. And in becoming a Kathy fan, I went to see her in concert. And in seeing her in concert, I became Kathy Mattea music-dependent! I own all of her CDs and, of course, there are some that I love more than others, and RIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE is right up there at the top of the list. Its title track is particularly dear to me and, I swear, taking her message to heart changed my life. Truly! I won't go into all the tracks here, as others have done an admirable job in describing them already. Obviously, I adore Kathy Mattea's music, and am particularly fond of the acoustic arrangements that she and Bill Cooley, in particular, bring to lucky listeners. These give us Kathy's voice in its purest and most soulful (or exuberant) form, and it is likewise a treat to take in the complex nuances of her musicians' talented playing.



I would recommend that any lover of music add this CD to his or her collection and listen -- live it, man! Even more than that, I would recommend that you do yourself an enormous favor and buy a ticket to see Kathy and her sensational band in concert when you get a chance. She favors small, extraordinary venues designed to showcase exceptional music for fans who want the best listening experience. Not only will the acoustics be superior in such venues, but the more intimate setting is ideal for getting the most from a Mattea concert. Once you've experienced them live in all their exuberant glory, you'll be satisfied with a CD only to see you through while you await the next concert! Yes, folks, she's all that, and so much more!



Buy several copies of this CD and give them to your friends....they'll love you for it!"