Martina McBride

Mel O'Drama

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We've been back for over a month, which means we're overdue a new thread full of Martina goodness. Let's remedy that.

For the record, I continue to listen to Martina on a daily basis, with ten of her songs in my iTunes Top 25 Most Played. Including the #1 spot there with this one:

 

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I have a number of her songs from her Reckless album in my current favorites playlist. This one came up on the way to work today:

 

Mel O'Drama

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This one came up on the way to work today

I'm loving the sound of that one and have listened to it a few times this week myself.


I have a number of her songs from her Reckless album in my current favorites playlist.


MM features heavily in my own Favourites playlist. You probably know which songs are my most-played, so I'll share a few that are just starting to get repeated plays for the first time:


I'd been aware of this one and knew it was one of her popular songs, but it hadn't spoken to me until quite recently.


I recently found a copy of the Target edition of Everlasting at a good price so got it for the two bonus tracks. They're both nice, but I'm especially loving the soul energy in this one. A great example of how effortlessly she can handle any genre. It's emerging as one of my favourite vocals of hers and a top three track from Everlasting.


Another one of those layered Wild Angels arrangements. I really like the vocal, the country vibe and the male harmony.
 

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I'd been aware of this one and knew it was one of her popular songs, but it hadn't spoken to me until quite recently.

I haven't listened to this one very often, but I love it every time I hear it.

A great example of how effortlessly she can handle any genre.

She really does this genre justice. I'm not sure if I had heard this one before. It's fantastic.
 

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I haven't listened to this one very often, but I love it every time I hear it.

I can't stop playing it. :D



I hadn't realised it was a cover. It was previously sung by a singer called David Phelps:


He has a great voice. The last half of the song completely wowed me.


I have a version in iTunes by Mary Byrne, whose version is based on Phelps's:


She's also covered Valentine. Her voice is uncannily like Shirley Bassey's (she's covered several Bassey tracks too).
 

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It was previously sung by a singer called David Phelps:

I like hearing it with a male voice.

He has a great voice.

He really does. I was curious what else he had done. I see he's a Christian singer.

I have a version in iTunes by Mary Byrne, whose version is based on Phelps's:

Beautiful.

Her voice is uncannily like Shirley Bassey's (she's covered several Bassey tracks too).

It is--but in a very genuine way. It's not like she's mimicking Shirley, but it's very reminiscent of Shirley. It also sometimes reminds me a bit of Bette Midler. Her version of I Dreamed a Dream is beautiful.
 

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I like hearing it with a male voice.

I've now downloaded David's version and have been listening to it a fair bit. He's started a very minor trend of a few male vocalists coming into my Favourites playlist, which is a rarity for me.

It's not like she's mimicking Shirley, but it's very reminiscent of Shirley. It also sometimes reminds me a bit of Bette Midler. Her version of I Dreamed a Dream is beautiful.

I just listened to it and it is. I can hear what you mean about Bette, too.

I've been listening to some of Diana Ross's albums lately. Wouldn't this be a great track for Martina to cover?

Oh my gosh. That's very beautiful. It would really suit Martina's voice, and as I listened I can hear how her version would sound.

Not having heard this song before, I'm captivated by it. It's really beautiful - both the vocal and the arrangement are perfect. It has reminded me I need to do some more exploration of Diana's work.

By the way, that album cover is glorious. I really enjoy album covers that have paintings or drawings of the artist in question, and this one captures Diana's blend of sultriness and vulnerability. The way the cigarette smoke forms her surname is fun too. I hadn't given too much thought before to why I find the word "Ross" quite pleasant, but now I've seen this I think it's partly because the roundness and swirliness of all four letters makes it look very friendly.



On a country note, you may be glad to know I've ordered a couple of Faith Hill albums recently. I'm looking forward to them arriving and discovering a new artist.
 

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He's started a very minor trend of a few male vocalists coming into my Favourites playlist, which is a rarity for me.

Who else have you added?

It would really suit Martina's voice, and as I listened I can hear how her version would sound.

I can really hear Martina's take on the song. I'm sure it would be in a much lower range, but I think it would sound great.

Not having heard this song before, I'm captivated by it. It's really beautiful - both the vocal and the arrangement are perfect.

It's been my most played song this week. I think it's struck a chord with me firstly because it's a fantastic song and secondly because it's such an unexpected surprise to find Diana singing something so Country.

It has reminded me I need to do some more exploration of Diana's work.

For the past few weeks I've been playing three of her albums quite a bit: Surrender, Ross and The Boss. I've discovered several new favorites.

From Surrender: All the Befores


From The Boss: I'm in the World



By the way, that album cover is glorious.

I think it's one of the most fabulous album covers ever. I've set it aside as a possible avatar at some point. While it's not anywhere near as amazing as the cover for Ross, I really like the cover for Surrender too.



On a country note, you may be glad to know I've ordered a couple of Faith Hill albums recently. I'm looking forward to them arriving and discovering a new artist.

Which albums did you order?
 

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Who else have you added?

How embarrassing. I just checked, and David is the only solo male. Though Elvis and Barry have been in and out, and I think a couple of others too.

There is another track that I recently discovered that is definitely going to go in there, it's a track called The Dance by Garth Brooks. I'm starting to wonder if I'm doomed not to own it on CD single. The first one I ordered didn't arrive and the second time around I was sent the wrong disc. So he's in among all my Martina and Tina tracks in spirit. He has a nice voice, and seems an all-round nice guy too.

Tenuous link: Martina has sung The Dance live. I'd love to track down her version too.




I think it's struck a chord with me firstly because it's a fantastic song and secondly because it's such an unexpected surprise to find Diana singing something so Country.

It's very well done.

All the Befores
I'm in the World

Both gorgeous. I love how prominent Diana's voice is in all three of these tracks. Ballads really give her beautiful voice the space to shine.

I think it's one of the most fabulous album covers ever.

I can't argue with that.

It reminds me of these:






I've set it aside as a possible avatar at some point.

It would be perfect for an avatar. It's so striking and iconic.

While it's not anywhere near as amazing as the cover for Ross, I really like the cover for Surrender too.

She's so beautiful.

That cover is so contemporary in some ways (I could easily imagine a Beyonce album with this cover) and yet so of its time because of the makeup style.

Which albums did you order?

Well, I started with her Christmas album which is en route from the States:




I loved her voice so much in the samples I listened to, I then went on to order this compilation:




I'm planning to get a second compilation, which has a couple of alternative/remixed versions and a cracking rendition of Over The Rainbow:




And while looking, I see that she has an "alternative" hits album coming out, made up of her mostly unreleased tracks, so that's also on my radar:




I probably could just bite the bullet and start getting her studio albums, but let's see how I go with the compilations and Christmas album.
 

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I just checked, and David is the only solo male. Though Elvis and Barry have been in and out, and I think a couple of others too.

Well, in and out--they still represent a significant spike in testosterone levels for your Favorites playlist. :D Scrolling through my current Favorites playlist (which right now sits at 216 songs) I'd say that it is around 90% male.

The Dance by Garth Brooks

I don't really care for Garth Brooks, but The Dance is one of a couple of his songs that I like.

Martina has sung The Dance live. I'd love to track down her version too.

Lovely--I hadn't heard that before.

I love how prominent Diana's voice is in all three of these tracks.

Something I've noticed this week is that starting in the 80's her voice starts to become less prominent as it gets buried by the music. It's made me appreciate the 70's albums all the more. I'm having a harder time finding favorites on any albums that came after her Diana album from 1980.

It reminds me of these:

Those are terrific. I really love that Donna Summer one.

I loved her voice so much in the samples I listened to, I then went on to order this compilation

That is my go to Faith album these days. It has nearly all of my favorite songs by her in one place, so that is a great place to start.

One that isn't on there that might rank as one of my favorite Faith songs is If I'm Not In Love With You. This song kills me--the longing, achey insecurity is so good.


I'm planning to get a second compilation, which has a couple of alternative/remixed versions and a cracking rendition of Over The Rainbow

I just recently reordered that one for the remixes as it was stolen from me a while ago.

I see that she has an "alternative" hits album coming out, made up of her mostly unreleased tracks, so that's also on my radar

I didn't know about that one, but I see it came out on Friday and is on Spotify, so I will be exploring that one this week. Thanks!
 

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Well, in and out--they still represent a significant spike in testosterone levels for your Favorites playlist. :D

Never a bad thing. But...

Scrolling through my current Favorites playlist (which right now sits at 216 songs) I'd say that it is around 90% male.

You have a whole lot more testosterone pumping through your playlist than I ever will. ;)


Something I've noticed this week is that starting in the 80's her voice starts to become less prominent as it gets buried by the music. It's made me appreciate the 70's albums all the more.

I think Eighties music can do that in general. I feel the same way about many of Donna Summer's songs from that decade.

That is my go to Faith album these days. It has nearly all of my favorite songs by her in one place, so that is a great place to start.

That's good to know. At the back of my mind when ordering was a discussion we had about it some time ago where I remember you mentioning it.

One that isn't on there that might rank as one of my favorite Faith songs is If I'm Not In Love With You. This song kills me--the longing, achey insecurity is so good.

That's gorgeous. It's looking more and more like I'll end up ordering all her studio albums at some point in the not too distant. Speaking of songs that aren't on the two compilation albums, I looked up Wish For You from Deep Tracks (originally from her Fireflies album). I wanted to see if it was the beautiful Heather Headley song I Wish, as I've seen people calling that song Wish For You. It's not the same song, but the message is very similar. Anyway, Wish For You really moved me. From the little I know of her material, this is currently a standout favourite.


I just recently reordered that one for the remixes as it was stolen from me a while ago.

Really?! I wouldn't know whether to be furious or flattered so I'd probably go for both.

I didn't know about that one, but I see it came out on Friday and is on Spotify, so I will be exploring that one this week. Thanks!

My pleasure. On second look, it seems many of the songs are actually on her studio albums, while a few were B-sides. And a few unreleased songs. It's like Faith's version of The Last Dance. :D

Enjoy exploring it! :) I feel a Faith thread might be in order very soon. ;)
 

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Martina's video for We'll Pick Up Where We Left Off:


Until I saw this I'd been interpreting it in terms of a relationship ending. The video has added some new layers for me. Lyrics like "I was fine until I saw your suitcase by the door" have taken on a new meaning. I love how Martina goes in different directions to the expected.
 

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Just for the hell of it (and because my previous one vanished into the ether), here are my top three tracks from each Martina album. At least according to my mood today:



The Time Has Come
  1. The Time Has Come
  2. That’s Me
  3. The Rope


The Way That I Am
  1. Independence Day
  2. Strangers
  3. Goin’ To Work


Wild Angels
  1. A Great Disguise
  2. All The Things We’ve Never Done
  3. Swingin’ Doors


Evolution
  1. A Broken Wing
  2. I Don’t Want To See You Again
  3. Valentine


White Christmas
  1. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
  2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
  3. Silver Bells


Emotion
  1. There You Are
  2. I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
  3. From The Ashes


Greatest Hits
  1. Where Would You Be
  2. When God-Fearin' Women Get The Blues
  3. Concrete Angel


Martina

  1. Over The Rainbow [Live]
  2. God’s Will
  3. How Far


Timeless
  1. I’ll Be There
  2. True Love Ways
  3. (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden


Waking Up Laughing
  1. Anyway
  2. How I Feel
  3. I’ll Still Be Me


Shine
  1. I Just Call You Mine
  2. What Do I Have To Do
  3. You’re Not Leaving Me


Eleven
  1. Summer Of Love
  2. I’m Gonna Love You Through It
  3. Long Distance Lullaby


Everlasting
  1. Suspicious Minds
  2. Bring It On Home To Me
  3. Little Bit Of Rain


Reckless
  1. Reckless
  2. The Real Thing
  3. Just Around The Corner
 

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You have a whole lot more testosterone pumping through your playlist than I ever will.

I just put my Christmas Favorites Playlist together and it's fairly balanced male and female, though female songs outnumber in that one.

Anyway, Wish For You really moved me. From the little I know of her material, this is currently a standout favourite.

I hadn't heard that before until I explored her new album. It's really pretty and I like what she is doing with her voice in it. It sounds a bit different. It's made me curious about the Fireflies album. I'm not familiar with it at all.

Until I saw this I'd been interpreting it in terms of a relationship ending. The video has added some new layers for me.

I had interpreted it as some sort of extended, forced absence that was being thrust upon the couple in the song. I hadn't put it with a military couple. I love it.

Just for the hell of it (and because my previous one vanished into the ether), here are my top three tracks from each Martina album. At least according to my mood today

Fun! I want to do this too. If I don't get to it this evening, I will do it this weekend.
 

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It's been a while since I've listened to Martina in any focused way--particularly beyond her newest album. Currently there are only four Martina songs in my Favorites playlist. I think I will want to listen to each album once through before I pick my top three tracks--except for with Reckless. I'll have to drag this out for a few weeks, but I'm happy for the excuse to listen to some Martina.


1. Just Around the Corner
2. It Ain't Pretty
3. You and You Alone
 

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I just went into Spotify to download the Everlasting album and noticed that she had released a single in October--a live cover of the Emmylou Harris song, When I Stop Dreaming.

 

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I just put my Christmas Favorites Playlist together and it's fairly balanced male and female, though female songs outnumber in that one.

Ok - firstly I'm smiling that we both have a Christmas Favourites playlist. I'll be working on mine over the next couple of days, handpicking songs from my Christmas playlist, which has all my seasonal and wintry music in.

Curiously, my Christmas Favourites is likely to have more male voices in than my standard Favourites. Singers like Elvis, Michael Buble and perhaps Johnny Mathis are fun to sing along with. I feel pretty sure I'll end up with more female than male though.

I hadn't heard that before until I explored her new album. It's really pretty and I like what she is doing with her voice in it. It sounds a bit different. It's made me curious about the Fireflies album. I'm not familiar with it at all.

I'm curious too. The sound of Wish For You, along with the album name and the pretty cover have intrigued me.

I had interpreted it as some sort of extended, forced absence that was being thrust upon the couple in the song.

That's interesting. I'd been interpreting it that one of them was leaving because it wasn't working. Both of them accepted it but were sad about it and still loved each other. I've probably been conditioned by the majority of songs that are out there which are about relationships starting or ending. :D

I think I will want to listen to each album once through before I pick my top three tracks--except for with Reckless. I'll have to drag this out for a few weeks, but I'm happy for the excuse to listen to some Martina.

That sounds great. It'll be great to chat about it as you listen and post.

1. Just Around the Corner

So beautiful. If we ever revisit Martina in the top tens I'm looking forward to seeing how it compares to last time. My ten would probably look quite different.

I just went into Spotify to download the Everlasting album

Enjoy. Suspicious Minds has come back into regular rotation for me.

noticed that she had released a single in October--a live cover of the Emmylou Harris song, When I Stop Dreaming.

The video wouldn't play, and I couldn't find another on YouTube, but I did manage to listen to Emmylou's version. What a lovely song.

Eventually, I noticed Martina's version is on iTunes and listened to a sample there. She does a really nice job.
 
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