LeAnn Rimes - Unchained Melody: The Early Years

Following the success of Blue, the album Unchained Melody: The Early Years, a collection of recordings made prior to her breakthrough, was issued. Considering LeAnn Rimes was only 13 when "Blue" became a hit makes the whole notion of "early years" a tad bizarre, but, in fact, they were recorded when the gal was in her preteen post-moppet stage. The recordings on this collection, which range from a note-for-note remake of the Whitney Houston version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" to Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" to the Beatles' "Yesterday" and a countrified version of the title track, cover a wide of array of styles, and are all covers, save for the 1980s-sounding "Share My Love." This album is essentially a LeAnn Rimes vocal showcase, as though the young lass had been set loose in a karaoke booth, which results in a record without any sort of real emotion or depth. Still, it works as something of an oddity, and the vocal chops, considering the source, are nothing less than astounding. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Smith Bass Brad Billingsley Drums Chuck Rippey Fiddle Crista Carnes Vocals (Background) Curtis Randall Bass Fred Gleber Drums Gary Leach Mixing, Assistant Engineer Glenn Meadows Mastering Greg Hunt Mixing, Engineer Greg Walker Assistant Engineer, Mixing, Assistant Producer Jerry Matheny Guitar (Electric) Jimmy Kelly Keyboards Johnny Mulhair Engineer, Assistant Producer, Guitar (Steel), Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Joy McKay Vocals (Background) Kayla Powell Vocals (Background) Kelly Glenn Keyboards LeAnn Rimes Vocals Lisa Criss Vocals (Background) Mike McLain Keyboards, Engineer Milo Deering Guitar (Steel) Paul Gaod Keyboards, Bass Perry Coleman Vocals (Background) Ray Carl Harmonica Whitney Mulhair Flute Wilbur C. Rimes Mixing, Producer