Comments on: Kathy Mattea CD to have focus on coal http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2008/02/11/kathy-mattea-cd-to-have-focus-on-coal/ ...The Latest in Bluegrass News Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:56:53 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: smunro http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2008/02/11/kathy-mattea-cd-to-have-focus-on-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-199 smunro Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:39:53 +0000 http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2008/02/11/kathy-mattea-cd-to-have-focus-on-coal/#comment-199 …except that Mountain Soul had absolutely nothing to do with a coal-mining theme. I'd think the basis for asserting the existence of such a theme would be the songs, not cover art, and there's only one song on it that qualifies; none of the album's other songs even come close. I don't think that Mattea's version of You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive can touch Loveless's, but there's no shame in that, because who can? But your suggestion that because Mattea is covering the same song, she's copped the idea behind her album from Loveless, is absurd. …except that Mountain Soul had absolutely nothing to do with a coal-mining theme. I’d think the basis for asserting the existence of such a theme would be the songs, not cover art, and there’s only one song on it that qualifies; none of the album’s other songs even come close. I don’t think that Mattea’s version of You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive can touch Loveless’s, but there’s no shame in that, because who can? But your suggestion that because Mattea is covering the same song, she’s copped the idea behind her album from Loveless, is absurd.

]]> By: shaneo http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2008/02/11/kathy-mattea-cd-to-have-focus-on-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-108 shaneo Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:30:53 +0000 http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2008/02/11/kathy-mattea-cd-to-have-focus-on-coal/#comment-108 It's good to see that Kathy Mattea recognizes a good idea when she sees it. Making this "back to her roots" album with a focus on coal-mining is a stroke of genius -- just like it was when PATTY LOVELESS DID IT SEVEN YEARS AGO! While the track listing isn't shared here, Mattea's people mention that Patty Loveless appears on the album and Darrell Scott is among the songwriters. Mattea also mentions that she "has a song" that deals with the fact that many mineral rights in Appalachia were bought in the 1800s. Could it be that the Darrell Scott song is "Never Leave Harlan Alive" -- arguably the single most powerful song THAT WAS ALSO ON PATTY LOVELESS' ALBUM IN 2001?!?!? Sure, Patty's wasn't called "coal" or totally themed around it, but break out your copy and check out the inside cover art. Loveless' album made an impression on me -- and evidently it made an impression on Mattea too. Kathy -- this album had better be INCREDIBLE, otherwise I'll stick with Patty's version of the same thing. It WAS incredible. It’s good to see that Kathy Mattea recognizes a good idea when she sees it. Making this “back to her roots” album with a focus on coal-mining is a stroke of genius — just like it was when PATTY LOVELESS DID IT SEVEN YEARS AGO!

While the track listing isn’t shared here, Mattea’s people mention that Patty Loveless appears on the album and Darrell Scott is among the songwriters. Mattea also mentions that she “has a song” that deals with the fact that many mineral rights in Appalachia were bought in the 1800s. Could it be that the Darrell Scott song is “Never Leave Harlan Alive” — arguably the single most powerful song THAT WAS ALSO ON PATTY LOVELESS’ ALBUM IN 2001?!?!?

Sure, Patty’s wasn’t called “coal” or totally themed around it, but break out your copy and check out the inside cover art. Loveless’ album made an impression on me — and evidently it made an impression on Mattea too.

Kathy — this album had better be INCREDIBLE, otherwise I’ll stick with Patty’s version of the same thing. It WAS incredible.

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