Search - Lee Greenwood :: A Perfect 10

Lorelie L. from CLINTON, MA
Reviewed on 8/7/2006...

Wonderful singer. Has duets with Suzy Boggus, Tanya Tucker, Barbara Mandrell, Wild Rose, Lacy J. Dalton, Marie Osmond and Cee Cee Chapman. You'll love this if you love country music.

Brilliant, but where are they now?

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We might have expected that Lee Greenwood, in selecting partners to record this album, would have chosen a star-studded cast of country music's most famous names of the day, but it may be that he was restricted in what he was allowed to do. Eight of the ten partners were on the same record label (Capitol), with only Marie Osmond (Curb) and Donna McElroy (Reprise) being brought in from outside. It may even be that this album was designed as a promotional exercise to give Capitol's own ladies extra exposure. If so, it didn't work because although most of the ladies recorded albums for Capitol (and some were excellent), very few of them lasted very long. You might think that, given all this, the album would not be up to much, but I really enjoy it, because many of these ladies were excellent singers who can consider themselves unlucky not to have made the big time.

Of course, there are a few stars here. Barbara Mandrell had previously recorded a whole album with Lee when both were on MCA. Now reunited on Capitol, they are in great form on I'd give anything. Tanya Tucker is, of course, brilliant on We're both to blame. Lacy J Dalton, whose voice is similar in many ways to Tanya's, does a fine job on From now on. The only significant country hit here is the duet with Suzy Bogguss, Hopelessly yours, another excellent song. Marie Osmond is better known for her pop music of the seventies but made some outstanding pop-country music in the eighties. She is in great form on It wasn't love before.



Of the others, Karen Staley, to be heard on I'm not missing anything (one of her own songs) has become a successful songwriter. She never established herself as a singer despite having a lovely voice. Donna McElroy turns in a great performance on a cover of If you don't know me by now, originally a hit for Harold Melvin and the blue notes. Wild rose, brilliant on The will to love, were a group of five ladies that recorded three wonderful albums for Capitol. Some of the five have been successful songwriters. Carol Chase opens the album superbly with Looking at a sure thing while Cee Cee Chapman closes the album with the lovely ballad, You're the one.



Lee Greenwood performs his parts well on all ten songs, but where is everybody now? A few are still performing or writing songs but none are on a major label. Most have retired or faded into obscurity. This album serves as a reminder of them all - and there are pictures of all their faces inside.



If you enjoy Lee's other music, you are likely to enjoy this. Fans of the star ladies may want this too, although the Suzy and Tanya two tracks can also be found on Best of Lee Greenwood.



Songs - Duet partners



Looking at a sure thing - Carol Chase

Hopelessly yours - Suzy Bogguss

I'm not missing anything - Karen Staley

We're both to blame - Tanya Tucker

If you don't know me by now - Donna McElroy

I'd give anything - Barbara Mandrell

The will to love -Wild rose

From now on - Lacy J Dalton

It wasn't love before - Marie Osmond

You're not alone - Cee Cee Chapman"