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Pam Tillis - It's All Relative Audio CD

A fair review of the Pam Tillis "It's All Relative" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Pam Tillis reviews here, or go back to the Pam Tillis tabs.

Pam Tillis Band: Pam Tillis
Title: It's All Relative
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-09-03
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Burning Memories 2: So Wrong 3: Unmitigated Gall 4: Violet And A Rose 5: I Ain't Never 6: Not Like It Was With You 7: Mental Revenge 8: Heart Over Mind 9: Goodbye Wheeling 10: Emotions 11: Honey (Open That Door) (w/ Ray Benson) 12: Detroit City 13: Come On And Sing

Only Two or Three Songs stand out....
The only cuts that have any merit are "Burning Memories", "So Wrong" and "The Violet and the Rose". I didn't care for this CD. I don't care for Pam Tillis' contemporary arrangements on "Honey, Open that Door" and I especially did not like her take on "Heart Over Mind". This CD is overproduced with the Nashville contemporary sound that makes it into "bubble gum country" except for the three songs that I mentioned at the beginning of this review. .


What A Tribute Album Should Be
Why? Because, when a star of Tillis' modest stature brings in lots of additional, big-name help, it's usually to bolster a weak project. When I carefully read the liner notes, just as I began to play the CD for the first time, I noted the presence of several famous guest stars, and became concerned that this was going to be a disappointment. I relaxed as I began to pay attention to the music itself. As it turns out, all Dolly, Emmylou, Trisha, Ray and Rhonda do here is add subtle flavorings to already strong performances. It speaks volumes about the integrity of Pam Tillis that the outside of this disc is not plastered with banners screaming the names of Parton, Harris and Yearwood, just to sell more copies. This production, although perhaps a bit too slick, is obviously a labor of love, is focused squarely on the significant legacy of its subject, Mel Tillis, who was a good singer, but an even better songwriter, and may also be his talented daughter's most solid album yet. So many country albums these days are loaded with filler to support one or two hit singles, but not so with IT'S ALL RELATIVE. . . and Tillis chose some lesser known M. T. songs to go along with the more familiar fare, making the proceedings less predictable than most projects of this type. My favorites are the opener, 'Burning Memories,' a smoldering rendition of 'So Wrong' (made famous by Patsy Cline), a sweet, mandolin-backed ballad, 'Violet And A Rose,' enhanced by the harmonizing of Dolly Parton, and the bluesy, rockin' 'Goodbye Wheeling. ' Another surprising highlight is the personal touch Pam gives to 'Detroit City,' avoiding making it just another by-the-numbers cover (a wise choice, considering the many versions of this song that have been done). If Ms. Tillis had only recorded CLEOPATRA, QUEEN OF DENIAL, and nothing else, I would still remember her, but she has grown and evolved as a singer, and it's delightful to find her in such fine form here. If you like Pam Tillis, but have lost touch with her music in recent years, give this record a try. Major Fans, you have nothing to worry about: BUY IT!.


This is a great album by a great lady
I love all the songs and each for different reasons. Pam Tillis selected some wonderful songs from her Dad's collection which she sang with the emotional depth each called for. I ain't never, Detroit City and Mental Revenge are clear standouts, but they are all great. There's not one that I get bored with, or find myself skipping.


homage to dad
No one's better suited than Pam to do It's All Relative, a tribute to her famous singer/songwriter father Mel Tillis. As one of country's first ladies to produce her own discs, Pamela Tillis stands tall among aging country stars' performing daughters such as Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter (Cash's stepsister) and Lorrie Morgan. Snug in her hillbilly crib (a guitar case on the floor), she was sometimes the first to hear his works in progress.

Mel's songs touch a lot of bases, as does his eldest daughter's delivery. "Mental Revenge" gets a slow, smoky blues groove (whereas Waylon Jennings charged through it on his 1967 rendition). Her playful western-style "I Ain't Never" contrasts to honky-tonk hit versions by Webb Pierce in 1959 and Mel himself in 1972 as well as the 1973 retro-rockabilly cover by John Fogerty (as The Blue Ridge Rangers). "So Wrong" recalls Patsy Cline's torch-and-twang 1962 rendition, while on "Detroit City," Pam's quiet moan "I want to go home" is one of most primal hooks in all of country music. With not a dud in sight, dad should be awfully proud.


All in the Family
Tillis has recorded quality material with several mega-hits that have established her as a great talent. Has it really been 15 plus years since Pam Tillis had her breakthrough hit Don't Tell Me What to Do? Much has happened since then, most of it good.

With the arrival of Faith, Shania, and Leanne Womack, Pam has been played less than in her glory days. This is due more to the vagaries of Nashville than any slippage in her talent level. Indeed, if anything, she is better now than in the past. Her voice still retains its distinctive resonance and her inflection and presentation of lyrics are better than ever.

This CD love letter to her father is a tour-de force! She is as good as she has ever been on this project. She takes each Tillis song, those that were hits for her father and those that hit for others and makes them her own. Listen to Heart Over Mind and you will get the idea. . . she creates a new tempo and in doing so, creates a totally unique version. Ditto Detroit City.

I don't know whether or not this CD will sell well or not. . . I can only say what OUGHT to happen. This OUGHT to be a BIG seller. Faith and Shania are talented ladies but this CD is much better than either of their latest efforts. Go Pam Tillis. . . you go girl!!!.


You can see a complete list of all Pam Tillis discography, or go back to the Pam Tillis tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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