| 'Little Acts Of Treason' Review by Rich Kienzle for Country Music |
| I haven't been that impressed so far with Giant Records' ouput. Too many of their artists strike me as generic New Country and little else. Carlene Carter has been the one exception, proven by her first album for the label. This one overflows with her gutsy, relentless intensity, not only in her original material but throughout its 13 flawless, totally focused performances running a wide gamut of emotions. Co-producing with James Stroud, Carlene the producer gave Carlene the artist ample space, none of it was wasted. "Hurricane," which she co-wrote with ex-NRBQ guitarist Al Anderson, fuses modern rockabilly with a contemporary sound and a sexy, assertive vocal. "Go Wild" follows in the same pattern. The obscure Kennedy-Rose single, "Love Like This," gets a soaring, compelling treatment in |
| Carter's hands. "Little Acts Of Treason" takes a slightly different look at the time-honored subject of troubled relationships. "He Will Be Mine," another Carter-Anderson effort, succeeds through economy in both lyrics and arrangement. "Come Here You" burns with blues and R&B feel, allowing Carter to vamp in a totally natural way, without indulging in the forced posturing that too many singers of both genders often turn to. The next number, the stark, sobering confessional"Change," brings the listener to earth to take stock. Optimism reigns on "The Lucky Ones," and brings things back up through a bubbly, joyous fusion of lyric and arrangement. The subject of cheating, getting caught, and figuring how to put it right inspires "All Night Long," another Carter-Anderson masterpiece. The simple sentiments of Carter's own "You'll Be The One" prove that today's love songs don't need syrupy metaphor and flowery, greeting card sentiments. Carlene's dad, Carl Smith , was a megastar of the 1950's, when he was married to Carlene's mom. Smith was a rarity in Nashville, a singer who retired when he chose to, not when the business retired him. Here, father and daughter revive his 1954 hit, "Loose Talk," one of his biggest, recorded the year before Carlene's birth. Backed by a modern arrangement, based closely on the original, Carl's voice may be a bit worn, yet his spirit is as buoyant as 40 years ago. "The Winding Stream" captures The Carter Family side of Carlene's musical roots as she and daughter Tiffany revive that old favorite with stateliness and reverence. A reprise of "Come Here You" closes things out. If you agreed that Lorrie Morgan's Something In Red was among the landmark albums for the new generation of women in country, rest assured, Little Acts Of Treason belongs on the shelf right next to it. Not only does it reaffirm Carter's individuality, it's an unforgettable experience for all listeners. |
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