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Several years back, a young voice was heard
that many thought was Frank Sinatra but turned out to be Harry
Connick Jr. I just heard a voice I thought was Reba McEntire's
but it turned out to be Allison Moorer. These moments of similarity
are a testament to the voice and skills of Harry and Allison.
Not so much that they sound like these musical greats at times,
but that they evoke the same feeling when you hear them sing.
Allison first came to most folks' attention
when they heard "A Soft Place To Fall" from "The
Horse Whisperer" soundtrack This love ballad, written by
Moorer (with Gail Owen), is just one of the ten songs she wrote
that appear on her debut album.
This Alabama songstress hails from Frankville,
just north of Mobile, AL, and grew up on the music of Tammy,
George, Waylon, and Willie. Before the ink was even dry on her
diploma from the University of South Alabama she was on her way
to Nashville. "I didn't plan to pursue a solo career. I
just thought I'd be doing my background singer thing," she
says.
It's hard for such a talent to remain in
the background for long, and Butch Primm was quick to recognize
and believe in the woman who became his wife. But the rest of
Nashville hasn't been far behind Butch. First it was Jonathan
Stone of Windswept Pacific, who signed her to a songwriting deal
after a short acoustic performance.
In June of '96, after taking part in a
musical tribute to the late Walter Hyatt, singing his "Tell
Me Baby" at several benefits, agent Bobby Cudd was impressed
enough to set up a meeting with Tony Brown of MCA which led to
several demos and finally a showcase which sealed the deal. Two
of those demo's made it to the album, "Pardon Me" and
"Call My Name."
The album opens with the mournful strum
of steel and Allison in a slow blues mood on "Pardon Me
(if I don't understand)." I'm not usually fond of a downbeat
song opening an album but this is a powerful ballad that allows
us a glimpse of the strength in Moorer's voice. It's followed
by "Long Black Train" a vehicle to take her hopes and
dreams home from Nashville. This song is a good take on the feelings
many young aspiring singers have felt as their dreams turn to
dust, even if Allison herself has found success.
The Title song, "Alabama Song,"
continues the string of mournful evocative ballads with an echo
of"Dixie." The death of a loved one can haunt you,
as you can hear him "Call Your Name" when "the
lonesome just won't go away." Powerful imagery.
"The One That Got Away" is a
honky-tonk "lost my love" song, with steel and pedal
over a fast beat, while "I Found A Letter" takes a
look at the emptiness of words and a song no longer meant.
Remembering is often painful, enough so
that it's "Easier To Forget" and hope the future holds
one worth keeping. Then, when "Set Me Free" came out
of the speakers, I was convinced Reba was singing this song,
so much does it remind me of her. It is a woman-empowered song
in which she takes the initative and does the dumping.
Allison reprises her hit from the "Horse
Whisperer" soundtrack, "A Soft Place to Fall,"
and it is sure to gather some nominations come awards time. "Tell
Me Baby" is another soulful ballad on an album packed with
pathos.
However, the best is really saved for last
when she sings "Is Heaven Good Enough For You," about
the funeral of her lover. It is deeply reverent in tenor, yet
questions those stock phrases meant to comfort. Terrific lyrics,
and delivered with a touch.
Allison Moorer may sound like Reba, she
may even have hair as red as Reba's, but you will forget about
that as she sings her way into your heart. The other 49 states
can only envy this "Alabama Song"stress.
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