Patty Loveless Is at Her Peak on Mountain Soul
I know this will contradict her name, but I love Patty Loveless. Her singles from the 1990s are some of my favorite country songs of all time, and I think When the Fallen Angels Fly is a modern masterpiece. Earlier this week, I came across my copy of her Mountain Soul album from 2001. So I put it into my stereo for the first time in quite a while and immediately remembered how much I loved (yes, that word again) it when it was new. She was in a lull in her career at the time and putting out a bluegrass record didn't help matters. Nothing from the album even charted on Billboard, but two brilliant songs on here unquestionably rank among my favorites in her catalog.
The first is "Sorrowful Angels." In this devastating ballad, a woman's overwhelming love goes unreturned: "He said no right to her face/and simply turned and walked away." She never recovers and she dies alone. Not exactly the feel-good hit of the year, but there is something entrancing about Loveless' mournful delivery. And when Stuart Duncan's haunting fiddle closes the song, it's almost unbearable. "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" is equally bleak. It tells the story of a Kentucky family that accepts a property buyout, thinking they've finally made it out - until the grandfather needs work and returns to the coal mine that ultimately kills him. Now that's heavy. Since the narrative is so close to Loveless' own life story, I have no idea how she delivered the song without breaking down. I think that's her gift. Almost a decade later, listening to these two songs on Mountain Soul, I still find myself hanging on to every word.
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Leeann says:
Ditto!
Joao Santos says:
hello cmt
joao, from Sao Paulo
Greatdivide08 says:
I agree.A great, great talent.Too bad the industy pushed her aside to make room for todays pop stars that are called “Country”
Rick says:
I consider this to be the peak of Patty’s artistry and a brilliant album. Not even “Sleepless Nights” can hold a candle to this one in Patty’s discography. As good as Kathy Mattea’s “Coal” album is, I don’t think it comes near to the pathos and depth of some of the songs included on “Mountain Soul”. This is a great choice for this series on reminding folks of overlooked great country albums from the not too distant past.
RedMaZ says:
I can’t recall anyone saying anything bad about Patty. I truly believe that nearly every Country music fan loves Loveless.
To greatdivide, Pop Country may have pushed her aside because she’s not a Pop act. That stands to reason. Patty is an Americana/Roots artist. She gets plenty of recognition there. Follow the genre and you’ll find the music.
peppersprout says:
“MOUNTAIN SOUL is one of those once-in-a-career kinda projects … the legacy of Patty Loveless will center around this music of her roots & raisin’ … MOUNTAIN SOUL - a gift for the present to savor; an organic treasure for future generations to unearth … music doesn’t get any sweeter! … :D :D :D :D :D”
solongsowrong says:
“Mountain Soul” is pure genius, with an all star cast of supporting musicians. Stuart Duncan - There’s another name that always crops up when talking about the best of Country music.
Chris D. says:
I love this album, as well as all of her albums following it. Sadly, those are the only Patty albums I have, but that will be fixed soon, I swear!
“The Boys Are Back In Town” is probably my favorite from the album, up with “Harlan” and “Sounds Of Lonliness”.
pete baldine says:
I am so glad to see this blog recognizing Patty Loveless for her great work. She has been one of my very favorite artists for years. Mountain Soul, in my opinion, is one of the best CD’s overall that has been produced. This music is what true country music is all about. It could not have been performed any better than Patty’s unique and very special delivery of this great music. This is a great artist that does not get the attention she deserves other than from the purists.
CjJ says:
I could not have said it better petebaldine. Her voice is a true country sound. I ‘m so glad to see that she was back. I hope more good country singers come back and take Country where it has always been and should be.
solongsowrong says:
Back? Back from where? Anyone who follows all of Country music, knows that she nor other good Country singers ever left. Just because Mainstream Pop Country ignores them, doesn’t mean they’ve gone away, or not still making great music. As RedMaz says, she’s a Roots/Americana artist. Follow the genre, and you’ll find the music.
Congratulations, by the way, to Patty on her Grammy nomination for her album, Sleepless Nights.
RedMaZ says:
You’re absolutely right solongsowrong. That’s my new saying now “Follow the genre, and you’ll find the music”. The “fans” may have left, but the artists and music remain. One possibility is that these are fair weather fans.
Yes, congratulations to Patty for the Grammy nomination for “Sleepless Nights”. Which by the way has been on the charts for 21 weeks and is currently at #8.
Michael says:
2001? I can’t believe it’s been that long already! I agree, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” is Patty Loveless’ finest vocal performance… ever. I think Brad Paisley has also recorded a version, but it doesn’t even come close to touching hers. No one else can deliver an epic torch song or story song like “Harlan” and make you feel the pain, the hurt and the ache with their voice. I think USA Today actually named this as their album of the year when it was released, yes?
Marcy says:
This album is my very favorite Loveless performance. My daughter and I just fell in love with “Sorrowful Angels”. Of course I am partial to Bluegrass music. Even so, Patty’s pure country music puts to shame the stuff being played by Country Music stations today.
I really would love to have Patty collaborate with Vince Gill and do an entire album with him. Their voices sound like the pure country music I heard in Kentucky as a child.
I hear Patty’s next album is due out in September and will e called Mountain Soul II. I don’t know if this is a re release of her Epic album or not. My hope is that it is as a new album filled with her brand of Kentucky mountain soul.
Mattias says:
I love Patty Loveless and her music!!! The one of the few remaining of country music, ah yes!