Tammy Wynette...Remembered

Amazon.com
This tribute album doesn't go out of its way to cater to fans of Identikit late-'90s country stars; a surprisingly high percentage of these tracks succeed, thanks largely to an artist list that retains ties to Wynette's generation, whether musically or personally. Ex- husband George Jones writes a final chapter of his relationship with the star on a painfully dignified version of "Take Me to Your World" that ironically reverses the song's situation; here, it's the woman who's the barroom habitue, Jones the longsuffering spouse. Equally affecting is Rosanne Cash's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," a typically wise-shaded performance. Less adventurous, but nearly as touching, is "'Til I Get It Right" by Trisha Yearwood. As is usual with such projects, though, the bad stuff is really bad--not least Elton John's schlocky reworking of "Stand By Your Man," which seems to miss the joke in a way that Lyle Lovett's 1989 recording didn't. --Rickey Wright

Entertainment Weekly
Wynette's star-studded tribute is a kick. It's almost worth a séance to find out what Tammy ... thinks of Elton John's rollicking cover of "Stand by Your Man."

Tammy Wynette...Remembered

Tracks:

Stand By Your Man - Elton John
'Til I Get It Right - Trisha Yearwood
D-I-V-O-R-C-E - Rosanne Cash
Apartment #9 - Melissa Etheridge
Woman To Woman - Wynonna
Take Me To Your World - George Jones
Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad - K.T. Oslin
You And Me - Lorrie Morgan
I Don't Wanna Play House - Sara Evans
Golden Ring - Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Anna & Kate McGarrigle
'Til I Can Make It On My Own - Faith Hill
In My Room - Tammy Wynette & Brian Wilson

Amazon.com

This tribute album doesn't go out of its way to cater to fans of Identikit late-'90s country stars; a surprisingly high percentage of these tracks succeed, thanks largely to an artist list that retains ties to Wynette's generation, whether musically or personally. Ex- husband George Jones writes a final chapter of his relationship with the star on a painfully dignified version of "Take Me to Your World" that ironically reverses the song's situation; here, it's the woman who's the barroom habitue, Jones the longsuffering spouse. Equally affecting is Rosanne Cash's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," a typically wise-shaded performance. Less adventurous, but nearly as touching, is "'Til I Get It Right" by Trisha Yearwood. As is usual with such projects, though, the bad stuff is really bad--not least Elton John's schlocky reworking of "Stand By Your Man," which seems to miss the joke in a way that Lyle Lovett's 1989 recording didn't. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

SOME GOOD COVERS, SOME NOT............2004-08-15

Let's begin with Track #1:

"Stand By Your Man" performed by Elton John. Having heard this once was enough for me. Elton John should never have attempted to cover Tammy's signature song. The production is way over-the-top and Elton John is defeated by the song in every way.

"Til I Get it Right" performed by Trisha Yearwood. Yearwood does an o.k. cover of one of Tammy's best loved ballads. But she brings nothing new to the song. What results is a nice, but rather draggy, boring rendition.

"DIVORCE" by Roseanne Cash is average. The production fits Cash's style but her voice is not appealing to me.

"Apartment #9" by Melissa Ethridge......a nice surprise here. A unique arrangement for Tammy's first hit and Ethridge does well by it.

"Take Me to Your World" by George Jones......poignant and touching. This one is excellent in every way.

"Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" by K.T. Oslin. Another miss. The production is horrible and Oslin's vocals are even worse. An insult to Tammy's original.

"You and Me" by Lorrie Morgan. A stellar performance by Lorrie with one of Tammy's most beautiful ballads. The production values and Lorries work on this would make Tammy proud. Probably the best cut on the CD.

"I Don't Wanna Play House" by Sara Evans. I had never heard Sara Evans but she does a marvelous justice to one of my favorite Tammy songs. A true country cover and Evans brings her own freshness to the song. Would make Tammy smile.

"Woman to Woman" by Wynonna. A perfect song for Wynonna. She packs punch into every line and makes this song one of the more memorable cuts on the CD. Great job!!

"Til I Can Make it On My Own" by Faith Hill. Hill gives a banal rendition of one of the most popular Tammy songs. Her interpretation is like baloney compared to Filet Mignon (Tammy). Hill has no conception of the lyrics or the melody. The result here is a big miss all the way.

"Golden Ring" by Emmylou Harris. A classic performance in every way. Makes one of my 'not so favorite Tammy songs" special.

"In My Room" by Tammy...her last recording......an eerie feel to this. Truly, one can tell, her voice had seen better days but she does the best she can. She is ably abetted by her singing partner, Brian Wilson. The song is memorable because one can tell here that Tammy didn't have much time left. God Bless Her.

A fine tribute that could have been better.......2003-04-13

This tribute album is dominated by country ladies who owe a debt of gratitude to Tammy for helping to open the doors of country music to female singers. There are some other singers here too, but their contribution is variable. The standout track is Brian Wilson (of the Beach boys) joining Tammy for a duet version of In my room, a Beach boys classic - it was the last recording Tammy ever made. George Jones does a great version of Take me to your world, but sings it as I'll take you to my world. Given his past drinking habits, this is intriguing. I love Elton John's music, but Stand by your man really doesn't suit him. Both David Allan Coe and Lyle Lovett have covered this song superbly, so it can be done well by a man. Melissa Etheridge's version of Apartment number nine is also weak. Kate McGarrigle joins Emmylou and Linda for a fine version of Golden ring.

The rest of the album is brilliant. Lorrie Morgan, who delivers a great version of You and me, obviously loves Tammy's songs as she has since recorded Another lonely night - it appeared on her To get to you greatest hits collection. Sara Evens, an unknown singer at the time this was recorded, does an impeccable version of I don't wanna play house. K.T. Oslin chose wisely in recording the sassy You're good girl's gonna go bad. Faith Hill was in top form on Till I can make it on my own. Trisha Yearwood, Roseanne Cash and Wynonna all make wonderful contributions to this excellent album.

In any album of this kind, it is inevitable that some singers are not included. But the absence of Dolly, Loretta and Reba is unforgivable. Two of these should have been included instead of Elton and Melissa.

LA Times Reviewer Made An Oversight Here.......2002-10-22

If only the LA Times reviewer had actually "reviewed" this CD, he/she would have noted that ALL of the participants in this project were personal friends of Wynette. This was the first release by Evelyn Shriver as President of Asylum (a "first lady" in that field) and the "Star Power" that the LA Times was looking for completely missed the point of truthfully and sincerely "remembering" an artist. Get it, LA??? "Tammy Wynette...Remembered."
It's strange to think that Tammy's first release was a song about being alone in a room (Apartment #9), and her last recording released ("In My Room") contains the lyric, "...Now it's dark and I'm alone, but I won't be afraid." The song is a befitting note of comfort to those of us who identified and grew with her through the years.
I was proud of this project and the respect these artists exhibit for their beloved friend and colleague.

Nobody Can Replace Tammy!.......2001-07-15

I gave this album 3 stars because there are three songs on it that are touching and magnificiently done (including one done by Tammy herself). The others, however, leave something to be desired. I don't know who sings "Apartment #9" on this album, but whoever she is, she ruins one of Tammy's greatest songs. Also, Elton John's version of "Stand By Your Man" is an insult to the great lady. I once saw an interview in which Tammy said something to the effect of, "if a man insists on singing that song, he should at least say, 'it MUST be hard to be a woman.'" Sadly, Elton didn't take her advice. Most of these songs are poor arrangments of originally wonderful songs. If you love Tammy, let me suggest my personal favorite albums, "Next to You" and "Higher Ground."

Not What I Expected But............1999-07-31

The only reason this gets five stars if because of Tammy's and George's cuts. For some reason I expected more out of this album, maybe because they were Tammy's songs and no one can do them as well, except maybe Jones. Where were Loretta and Dolly. Who is Sarah Evans? Elton John crucified "Stand By Your Man." The cuts I found worth while were "Take Me To Your World (Take You To My World)", "Til I Can Make It On My Own", "Til I Get It Right", "You And Me", and finally "In My Room." I am brought to tears now as I think about "In My Room." Tammy took it and owned it. Tammy and her music helped me get through the hardest period of my life. It is difficult for me to believe she is really gone. Buy this album if for no other reason than to hear Tammy sing that song. Long live the memory of The First Lady!

Average customer rating:

Country Hits Remembered
Johnny Cash , Charlie Rich , Tammy Wynette , David Allan Coe , Willie Nelson , Tanya Tucker , Johnny Paycheck , Marty Robbins , Dolly Parton , and George Jones
Manufacturer: Sony Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000JN2P9C

Product Description

Track Listing 1-Johnny Cash -Ring of Fire 2-Charlie Rich -Since I Fell for You 3-Tammy Wynette -My Man (Understands) 4-David Allan Coe -You Never Even Called My Name 5-Willie Nelson -If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time 6-Tanya Tucker -Delta Dawn 7-Johnny Paycheck -Mr Lovemaker 8-Marty Robbins -El Paso City 9-Dolly Parton -The River Unbroken 10-George Jones -The Door

Music Album:

Music Album