Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Reba McEntire - Secret of Giving
MCA Records

It’s gotten to the point where I dread listening to radio during the holidays. I’ve listened to the same set of songs rehashed over and over again by artists looking to make a quick buck all my life. It’s not that I don’t like the music; it’s more that the songs are getting to the point where they are incredibly over done and a chore to listen to. Christmas music was meant to be simple and some of the current holiday releases are so heavy on production that it’s almost sickening.

That might be what makes Reba McEntire’s second Christmas collection so refreshing. The album contains a number of new songs. Some are solid and some others are not. But I give McEntire credit for having the guts to do something different. The album also features McEntire’s slick, yet tasteful production.

Secret of Giving also shows Reba getting back to basics. Her voice is back to it’s crisp form with none of the over done vocal tricks she’s taken habit to over the last few years. Instead she has put together an intimate feeling album, you almost feel like she’s in the room singing to you. Something you always felt when you listened her music from the late 80s and early 90s.

I have only a couple of complaints. “Santa Claus Is Coming Back To Town,” is one bummer of a song to be putting on a Christmas album. The song deals with a mother’s emotional trouble dealing with inviting her ex-husband over for Christmas with the kids. It might be a classic country theme, but it sure is a downer on the light-hearted Christmas spirit. The background vocals on “The Angels Sang” are downright annoying. The song had potential but you find yourself wanting to skip past the annoying kids playing the role of the “angels” it’s just plain tacky.

The rest of the album is solid and for the most part very original. We see a cover of “I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus” which keeps the light-hearted feel of the tune well. The remainder of the original songs are very strong as well. My favorite is the albums opening track “This Is My Prayer To You,” something about it just fits Reba’s personality.

It’s nice to see Reba return to the basics that have made her such a long-standing fan favorite. But it also makes us realize how far McEntire has strayed from those roots on her normal studio releases. Secret Of Giving shows Reba as the masterful storyteller that she is. It’s a shame she can’t take that attitude into the studio to work on her regular albums anymore. Maybe she will someday soon. It would be nice to have her back in top form. If you’re feeling a little tired of listening to traditional Christmas songs over and over again around this time of year give Secret of Giving a shot. It’s a solid effort to do something original and it’s hard not to respect that.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.