Search - Ann-Margret :: On the Way Up

Trying Too Hard

04/20/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is AM's 2nd LP that was recorded in Nashville with such behind-the-scene pros as producer Chet Atkins, pianist Floyd Cramer, drummer Charlie McCoy, and Anita Kerr Singers. This is an obvious attempt to capture her top-40 hit (her last, as it turned out) "I Just Don't Understand." Some of the songs are quite fetching like "Moon River" and "It's Not So Funny," because the production does not override the singer. However, most of the songs seem dated and bubblegum; even "Fever" and "Heartbreak Hotel" are pale imitations of the orginals. Two good contributions are "What I Am Supposed to Do" (released as a single) and "Slowly;" the latter number reminds the listener of Brenda Lee's coy "Sweet Nothin's." But Mr. Atkins made the mistake of marketing AM's talents toward the teen set rather than focusing on her jazz/pop background. Fortunately, AM's later albums allowed AM to expand in other directions besides the teenybopper scene."