If My Heart Had Windows

Patty was strongly influenced by Claire Lynch's brilliant album, Breakin' it - now available as Out in the country - and recorded several songs from it for her early albums. Two of them appear here - I can't get you off of my mind (a lesser-known Hank Williams song) and Once in a lifetime (an Eric Kaz song). Claire Lynch and Vince Gill provide backing vocals on the title track (a George Jones country hit) and Once in a lifetime. While covers of Hank and George show Patty's respect for tradition, she shows her respect for contemporary songwriters by covering A little bit in love (a Steve Earle song).

There are many other fine songs here beginning with So good to be in love (an up-tempo, fun song) and Working man's hands (a tribute to a hard-working man, presumably her father). Baby's gone blues and A little on the lonely side are excellent ballads.

Patty has recorded many more successful albums than this but there aren't many that are better.

Tracks

So good to be in love
Working man's hands
You saved me
If my heart had windows
A little bit in love
I can't get you off of my mind
Baby's gone blues
A little on the lonely side
Fly away
Once in a lifetime


Awesome Follow-Up   March 14, 2002
Her sophomore effort for MCA finds Loveless softening her edges slightly, including two classic country songs (a wonderful swing version of Hank Williams' "I Can't Get You Off of My Mind" and Dallas Frazier's waltz title track) alongside some modern-day country rockers penned by Nashvile's cream. Loveless' version of Steve Earle's "A Little Bit In Love" bests his demo (that, in itself, is an accomplishment), and she gal-handles Karen Staley's rollicking "So Good To Be In Love." "Baby's Gone Blues" gets an exquisite 3/4 time treatment with subtle background strings. "Working Man's Hands" features a dobro instrumental hook leading a touching tribute to her Kentucky coal miner father. Loveless' superb tenor and the tasteful mix of bluegrass and modern instrumental arrangements have her honing her still-rootsy sound to a fine edge and demonstrating without a doubt that she was making the best albums of any woman in Nashville in the late 1980's.


Want Goosebumps?   September 27, 2000
J. R. Reynolds (Philadelphia, PA USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Buy this fine cd if only for A Little on the Lonely Side. Try listening to Patty's heartbreaking vocals without getting goosebumps. And oh yeah, the other songs are quite good too. Hits found here are If My Heart Had Windows and A Little Bit in Love.