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Albums
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This album, produced by Harold
Shedd and Norro Wilson, two notable country produces, has a contemporary feel but still
owes a lot to traditional country with plenty of steel guitar, so it is not like any other
Shania album so far released.
There are plenty of upbeat songs, giving this album a real
good-time feel. Among them are What made you say that, Dance with the one that brought
you, God ain't gonna getcha for that and Crime of the century. Shania also demonstrates
that she can sing ballads well, particularly on When he leaves you, possibly my favorite
track here, and You lay a whole lot of love on me.
It is clear from this album and from some tracks on her other
albums that Shania loves country music but it is unlikely that Shania will ever record
another album like this one. As such, country fans everywhere should treasure it (only the
most diehard traditionalists could complain that it's not country enough), but some of
Shania's normal fans may not like it all and ought to hear some of it before buying. This
is my favorite Shania album although I do enjoy some of her later music in its own way.
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The Woman in Me was Shania's second release, and
definitely the album that was her claim to fame. The album contained five smash singles,
and has sold over twelve million copies. Add to that the continued success with Come On
Over which also sold over ten million copies (19 million in the U.S. at last count),
and Shania was like her name says "on her way."
This was also Shania's first album produced by her hubby,
"Mutt" Lange, and all the songs were written by her, so this is a true
representation of Shania as an artist. From the beginning notes of "Home Ain't
Where His Heart Is Anymore" to the last notes of the beautiful "God Bless
The Child," the album is a winner, with songs full of attitude, pain, and dreams.
If you like contemporary country, Shania's your gal. If
you're looking for traditional country, you'll find none of it here.
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The come-from-nowhere success of Shania Twain's previous
album,The Woman In Me, proved that the world was ready for a combination of
traditional instruments, girl-power themes, and dance-pop dynamics. Whether Twain is a
modern-day Dolly Parton or a country music Spice Girl is a matter of perspective. But with
her third album, she accentuates the sing-along choruses and simple dance rhythms while
downplaying the country elements. As a pop move, it works wonderfully for her, earning
Twain a valued spot on MTV, VH-1, and pop radio. The emphasis is on fun rather than depth,
of course. But no one can accuse her of being stingy: she and her Svengali-like
producer/husband, slick-rock king Robert "Mutt" Lange (Def Leppard, Bryan Adams,
AC/DC), load down the album with 16 songs, all of them quite radio-friendly.
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A Note from Shania
about Up!: In meeting my audiences around the world
during my last tour, I discovered something very exciting and liberating. My audiences
consisted of an incredible variety of ages and nationalities.
So, while writing and recording UP! I felt a freedom to
explore all my different musical roots.
Since I've always been comfortable writing and singing many
styles of music from the earliest age, I wanted this CD to reflect that versatility.
I didn't feel I could express and have all that fun in less
than 19 songs and with only one CD. So that's why there are two CDs included.
When I listen to the music, depending on what mood I'm in, I
might put on the red CD to hear the songs with an electric, rockier-edged sound, and if I
want to hear them with a more acoustic, down-home feel, I listen to the green CD.
Sometimes I even put my CD player on "random" so I
can listen to them all mixed together.
For me, having variety in styles is reminiscent of my youth
when I used to listen to our local radio station and hear Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton,
Supertramp and the BeeGees all in the same hour.
I hope you enjoy the different flavors on both CDs and find
the music colorful and UPlifting.
Have a great listen!
Shania
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Shania Twain
Fan Site
