By Scott Sexton

"Mountain Soul II"

Country Stars Central is pleased to give Patty Loveless’s "Mountain Soul II" FOUR Country Stars Central Stars!!

Country Music star Patty Loveless has always had a distinguished sound, but ever since her 2001 release of "Mountain Soul," she has proven to the world that she can sing Bluegrass just as well as she can sing Country.  Her voice has remained just as pure as it was since the day she started and it is wonderful to hear every new project that she records.  "Mountain Soul II" offers fifteen new tracks that will have you begging for more as soon as it comes to an end.

As soon as this record starts, it is clear that Patty is still releasing the same quality of work as her fans have become used to.  The first track is a Country classic called "Busted."  For those of you who are not familiar with it, it has been recorded by everyone from Ray Charles to John Conlee, and now Patty offers her version which is just as good, yet is just as distinguished as the others.  It is about a man who is struggling with issues in everyday life.  All too often, people live paycheck to paycheck, and in this character’s case, his family is losing everything.  Although the subject can relate to everyone in this day and age, it is not depressing.  It is actually kind of funny to see how some people deal with these kinds of troubles.

Being a huge fan of the Dobro, "Fools Thin Air" became a quick favorite.  It has a nice, slow Country/Bluegrass edge that perfectly showcases every note in Patty's voice.  Everyone who has ever been in the dating scene has had to deal with someone who likes to play games.  It is always easy to deal with it when it is someone else going through it, but when it is you, it becomes a completely different story.  It brings you down and sometimes you truly end up blaming yourself.  By the time it is over you feel like a fool. 

"A Handful Of Dust" continues on with the standard Bluegrass sound and although it is good, it doesn't stand out the same way the first two tracks do.  "Half Over You" slows things way down, and due to the nature of this song, it could easily stand its own as the best tune on the whole record.  The heartfelt anguish that can be heard in Patty's voice proves that she has been through the bad stuff the same as everyone else.  The words will cut every listener like a knife and the title sums up its every meaning.

Now, moving on to the next track, "Prisoner's Tears" can be summed up with one word and that is "AMAZING."  It is very acoustic and flows like a painters brush, creating a portrait that will always stand the test of time.  There is only one other artist that comes to mind who could relay to a prisoner like Patty does in this song and that is the late, great Porter Wagoner.  Heartbreak has been felt by many, but when you feel like you have lost it all, you tend to feel trapped in your own world.  You are trapped, held hostage, and sometimes an inmate to your own soul.  Well that's what the character is feeling in this number.  As the steel guitar is crying, you may even find something in your past that can relate to what is being said.

The next few tracks are all Gospel standards.  The first one is "Working On A Building."  It has been a Bluegrass classic for years and has been performed by just about everyone in the genre.  Patty Loveless makes it her very own and the vocals are timeless.  "Friends In Gloryland" and "(We Are All) Children Of Abraham" offer the listeners something special that's not always on typical records and that is harmonies from the heart.  Each word showcases one of the most talented women to hit the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Picking things back up to a "toe tapping" pace is "Big Chance,” which is great.  The banjo rolls and the fiddle will have your head bobbing back and forth before you even know it.  It is about someone who is taking a lifetime chance and getting married.  The story flows perfectly and by the time it comes to an end, you have seen the entire situation take place.  Folks, most of us live crazy lives, but sometimes it is nice to see the simple ways still exist.

"When The Last Curtain Falls" is pretty good, but "Blue Memoried” is spectacular.  It is fast paced and again, you get to hear all of the great instruments that Bluegrass has to offer.  It is about a love gone wrong and the memories that come with it.  There are some good and there are some bad, yet they are all there regardless.  This song is great!

It doesn't take long for anyone to figure out what "You Burned The Bridge" is about.  It is clearly about someone who is going through heartbreak because of someone else, but all you have to do is close your eyes and you will feel every emotion that is described.  This kind of music isn't for everyone, but if you like hearing about heartache and misery, well this one will easily be a favorite then.  Nothing mixes like "whiskey and regret" right?

"Bramble And The Rose" offers the listener a completely different sound than anything else that can be heard on this release.  It is practically just an acoustic guitar and a dobro, but it backs Patty's voice like a glove.  It describes how love grows as time passes and how one should never give up on their partner simply because you need the other person to grow as a couple.

Bringing "Mountain Soul II" to an end is two songs that both deserve to be released as singles.  "Feelings Of Love" is a great departure song.  Once it was over, it left a few questions to be answered.  The main question is simple, why can't everyone leave with this kind of a positive attitude?  "Diamond In My Crown" is probably one of the most philosophical songs to ever be recorded.  It is about someone who has lived their whole life to the fullest and knows exactly where they are going when they leave this earth.  There is nothing like hearing a record that is great from start to finish, and Patty Loveless knows how to deliver just that.  Her voice is amazing and truly is one of the most distinguished ever.  If you only get a couple records this year, make sure this is one of them!

Full Track List:

1. Busted

2. Fools Thin Air

3. A Handful Of Dust

4. Half Over You

5. Prisoner's Tears

6. Working On A Building

7. Friends In Gloryland

8. (We Are All) Children Of Abraham

9. Big Chance

10. When The Last Curtain Falls

11. Blue Memoried

12. You Burned The Bridge

13. Bramble And The Rose

14. Feelings Of Love

15. Diamond In My Crown

For more on Patty Loveless, check  out her official website here:  http://www.PattyLoveless.com