Audio CD review:
Crystal Gayle - Crystal Gayle

Crystal Gayle - Crystal Gayle

Band: Crystal Gayle Title: Crystal Gayle Rating: Release Date: 13 May, 1997 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: I've Cried (The Blue Right Out Of My Eyes) 2: Sparklin' Look Of Love 3: Everybody Oughta Cry 4: Mama It's Different This Time 5: Touching Me Again 6: Show Me How 7: M.R.S. Degree 8: I Hope You're Havin' Better Luck Than Me 9: Too Far 10: Clock On The Wall

Customer Reviews Crystal at the VERY beginning--this is NOT her actual debut The recordings on this CD are from much earlier--I think they all date from 1970 or so. Based on the aforementioned reviews, there seems to be a considerable amount of confusion in regard to this release, & it's not hard to see why--the material on this CD is NOT what was on Crystal Gayle's official debut album which was released in 1975 on the United Artists label and was also self-titled. Quite frankly, they sound like they were recorded even earlier than that. . . Of the ten songs on this collection, none reach the 3 minute mark, & only a few are over 2 & ½. Then there's the music itself, with numerous tracks including corny backing vocals that sound like they've been beamed in straight from the early `60s, not to mention the characteristically `60s sound of the reverb on Crystal`s vocals, etc. Also, there's the teenage soap opera lyrics on "Mama It's Different This Time" (written by Crystal`s sister Loretta Lynn), the weepy, self-pitying "Everybody Oughta Cry", & the hilarious "M. R. S. Degree". The difference between the tracks on here compared to her classic Allen Reynolds-produced work from the '70s & early '80s is jolting. Don't get me wrong though--this is an interesting disc. There's no denying that it's really interesting to hear Crystal, one of the finest vocalists of all time, at this extremely early stage in her musical career. And indeed, Crystal's vocals are incredible even here--she grabs you the instant her voice comes floating out of the speakers on the lovely album opening ballad "I've Cried (The Blue Right Out Of My Eyes)" which was released as a single in 1970 & was an early hit for Crystal. The upbeat, brassy "Sparkin' Look Of Love" (also written by Lynn) is irresistibly fun, as is the aforementioned "M. R. S. Degree", & "Show Me How" is a nicely tuneful, highly enjoyable ballad as well. Overall, the performances are nice, despite all the corniness. This collection, which was released as a very low-priced, budget line disc, is definitely worth having for any serious Crystal fan. good start Since this was under MCA, Crystal was looked at as Loretta's little sister. This was Crystal's first album. This shows through especially in the song Lynn penned Donna Fargo like song "Sparklin' Look of Love. " It doesn't fit Crystal but she sings it with spunk anyway. Other than the two big hits this album made (Everyone Oughta Cry and the good sapper I've Cried the Blue Right Out of my Eyes) Clock on the Wall is another stand out. Superb!! This was certainly a promise of greater things to come but this collections ranks with the best Crystal has ever done. Superb! You can't go wrong with this debut album. Not one single cut on the album is filler. All would have made number one singles in my opinion!! My favorites are "I've Cried the Blues out of My Eyes", "Too Far" and "Clock on the Wall". But they are all fantastic!. . You can see a complete list of all Crystal Gayle discography, or go back to the Crystal Gayle tabs