I want to like this. I really do.
But this gospel number brings out the very worst in Lee Ann Womack as a singer. She simply sounds terrible when she tries to get too soulful. She tries to do the Reba McEntire curlicues at some points, the Dolly Parton vibrato at others. She can’t pull either one of them off.
It’s not a good thing when the Blind Boys are singing to Womack to “forgive yourself”, and all I’m thinking is that if she was really sorry, she’d stop stretching two-syllable words out over fifteen seconds.
Grade: C
Listen: I Was a Burden
I agree. She’s done the soulful thing better than this, but it still always sounds clunky with her voice for whatever reason.
Anyone heretofore unfamiliar with The Blind Boys of Alabama needs to check out this (ignore the video part):
I agree, too; this is just not the right style for Lee Ann.
I want the There’s More Where That Came From or Call Me Crazy Lee Ann, even a traditional covers album would be good enough.
I think it started out okay. Not terrible, but the vocal swoops wore on me after a while.
I have to agree. Weak stuff.
This is the first time I’ve heard Ms Womack. I think she did an outstanding job with the song. I thought she and The Blind Boys created a hauntingly unique sound together.