Comments on: Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II

By: Clive W

Clive W — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:33:51 +0000

Well done Mr Fales..You Called it…Mountain Soul II took the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Looks like you have a huge insight on this Album. Working on a building is my fav on this.

By: Ben Foster

Ben Foster — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:47:14 +0000

I was given a copy of this wonderful album by a DJ at my local country station. He offered it to me when I called in to request one of Patty’s old hits. This is an excellent album. The pure and bluegrass instruments are pleasure to listen to on their own, but the simpler arrangements also allow the depth and sincerity in Patty’s amazing voice to shine through more clearly. My favorite tracks on this album are “Busted,” “A Handful of Dust,” and the fun backwoods romp “Big Chance.” “Mountain Soul II” is definitely a masterpiece.

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:14:18 +0000

OK, latest update, Patty and Emory eight weeks at # 1 on the Bluegrass charts now. :)

And this from “the Boot”

“7.

“Patty Loveless, ‘Mountain Soul 2′

Standout Song: ‘(We Are All) Children of Abraham’

Patty captures the soul of Appalachia, delivering superb performances of songs both new and old. Whether she’s singing about today’s economy with ‘Busted,’ lamenting lost love in ‘Half Over You,’ or trying to figure out relationships in ‘Bramble and the Rose,’ Patty’s vocals are right on. The singer’s sequel to the first ‘Mountain Soul’ disc is another masterpiece.”

Way to go Patty and Em!

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:20 +0000

Congrats to Patty and Emory once again…six weeks now, at the top of the Bluegrass chart!

(43 on Country)

By: Cory DeStein

Cory DeStein — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:54:36 +0000

Yea Steve, I can admit I dont really like Bluegrass but I will support anything Patty puts out just to help make sure there is another project down the road!

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:19:41 +0000

Thanks Bonnie, I think we are certainly in the same ballpark of excellence with only a half of star difference for Patty and Emory’s latest masterwork. ;).

But the way I see it, sometimes the stong points, the high points of an album are SO great and so many that they redeem the album as a whole and lift it to the highest possible rating. Such is the case with Mountain Soul II.

I think Busted, Big Chance, Prisoner’s Tears, Bramble and the Rose, When the Last Curtain Falls, Blue Memories, Handful of Dust, Working on a Building, Friends in Gloryland and Diamond in my Crown are more than enough to earn Mountain Soul II a perfect 5 star rating. Any percieved weaknesses on this record are more than redeemed by the overwhelming strengths of it.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:03:02 +0000

Absolutely fantastic review, Steve. Although I love MSII, I probably would have rated it 4.5 stars. I agree that the songs could have been mixed up a little better – too many slow tempo – but, as a rule, those are always my favorite Patty songs.

My favorites are Prisoner’s Tears, Diamond in My Crown, and When the Last Curtain Falls. ‘ Abraham’ hasn’t quite grown on me yet.

I love the addition of the remakes from previous albums, especially Handful of Dust. I’ve never been a fan of Feelings of Love, so that one left me a little cold.

All in all, another spectacular offering from Patty and Emory.

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:11:37 +0000

Cory, if you like the slower songs better, than maybe you really dont like Bluegrass, as Bluegrass has been characterized as “high octane folk music” or “folk music on steroids”, lol.

Glad you like the album though, it’ll be interesting to hear how you like it compared to the orignal MS, when you get a chance.

By: Kenzie

Kenzie — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:45:54 +0000

Handful of Dust is also on When Fallen Angels Fly.

By: Cory DeStein

Cory DeStein — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:39:17 +0000

I like the album, i wouldnt say i love it, but the slower songs on the album i do enjoy a good bit.
What Patty album have i heard “Handful of Dust” on before?