Coal Bottom Line:
Kathy Mattea has released her new album Coal, and you have never heard anything like this before. With Marty Stuart as her producer, it was obvious this album would be full of quality music. Kathy goes above and beyond, describing her family's heritage as coal miners. Listening to this record is like hearing a story about life, told through eyes of someone who lived it. This possibly is the best album of Kathy's career.Kathy Mattea went far beyond the call of duty. She had yearned for a chance to record a tribute album and with the help of Marty Stuart, it came true. There was nothing that Kathy wouldn't do to create the perfect sound for her family's heritage. She brought in some of Music City's most precious artist to help her sing harmony. Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, Tim O'Brien and Mollie O'Brien all participated in making this album so special.
The record cover has a lost and lonesome feeling to it. Just a couple of hands holding some coal with a complete black background proves fancy artwork is not always needed in order to get the message across. The album sleeve is full of pictures of old coal miners and equipment. This just adds to the classic feel that this album portrays.
Kathy voice is so pure, all you really need when listening to this record is an open mind and some time set aside so you truly focus on every word that's said. By the time you've listened to all eleven songs, you will have a whole new outlook and a lot more respect for these American workers.
The first song is one of my favorites. "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore" reveals what it's like to reminisce through your past. It's told in the perspective of someone who actually got out of the coal miner's world, but looks back on it and realizes just how special that point in their life was. They even remember how strong their father was, but now he is just pale and feeble.
As soon as Kathy goes into "Blue Diamond Mines," you can hear the similarities that her and legendary Grand Ole Opry Star, Wilma Lee Cooper actually share. Their voices are very similar, except the fact that Kathy is much more modernized that Wilma. This song comes to life and is told by a miner who works daily digging coal. It's described as wet and cold and the pay is not much better. It's amazing the things that miners go through to make a living.
Although this whole album is very acoustic, "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" really proves it. Each instrument gets their own solo portion, giving you a chance to absorb the message that's being given. It's about family who has never really left Harlan, Kentucky.
For those of you that remember Merle Travis, he wrote the song "Dark As A Dungeon," which Kathy makes her own. She describes what it's like to be deep down in the mines and it feels like you're in a dungeon. After listening to this tune and learning the dangers that are apparent, you'll never want to experience the feeling that the miners go through.
Words could never describe how great this album is, but if you willing to take an emotional trip through a coal miners life, you need to get Kathy Mattea's Coal.
Release Date: April 1, 2008 - Captain Potato Records
Song List:
- L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore
- Blue Diamond Mines
- Red-Winged Blackbird
- Lawrence Jones
- Green Rolling Hills
- Coal Tattoo
- Sally In The Garden
- You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive
- Dark As A Dungeon
- Coming Of The Roads
- Black Lung/Coal
