Search - Anne Murray :: Let's Keep It That Way/New Kind of Feeling

Simply the best of her career

Frank Gaertner | Atlanta GA USA | 02/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been an Anne Murray fan for more than 20 years, and these two albums were the first two I heard when I became familiar with her music. After hearing at least 12 of her other albums, I always come back to these two. "Let's Keep it That Way" was the first album where Anne worked with producer Jim Ed Norman, and they clearly enjoyed each other's work, as Jim Ed produced Anne's next 7 albums. "Let's Keep it That Way" set the tone for their collaborations: some very pretty ballads, some midtempo numbers to offer some variety, and a well-chosen cover or two. All ten tracks on "Let's Keep it That Way" are great. Of course "You Needed Me" is the standout track here, but some of the other ballads, such as "Just to Feel this Love from You" and "It's Always a Goodbye" are just as melodic and affecting. Her country takes on "Walk Right Back" and "Hold Me Tight" work well, and her faithful reading of "Tennessee Waltz" seems just right. "New Kind of Feeling" was issued a year later and feels like a sequel in many ways. While the song selection here isn't quite as strong, certainly "I Just Fall in Love Again" is one of Anne's prettiest hits. There's a good variety in the pacing here, unlike some of Anne's later efforts. "Yucatan Cafe" features an exotic locale for a country song, and "For No Reason at All" and "He Can't Help It (If He's Not You)" continues Anne's string of sensitive love songs. The packaging is striking and well-done, with career information along with the songwriter and player credits. If you're looking for a place to investigate Anne's large catalog, this would be the perfect place."

A class act in her prime

Claude Bourggeois | Moncton, Canada | 06/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two album feature showcases the classiest lady in the biz-Anne Murray-at the peak of her career. The humungous hits are here " Walk Right Back" (in my opinion pop at its perfection), the very smooth "Shadows in the Moonlight" (features her very sexy husky voice) and "I Just Fall in Love Again" ( the ultimate ballad without vocal hysterics. There are also many hidden gems here : "Yucatan Cafe" is a smooth as silk reflective ballad that is quite engaging and very easy on the ears. This was Anne Murray straddling the fence between pop and Country like no one else ever could or can to this day. "Hold me Tight" is a deliciously fast paced number that is fun and easygoing, and "For No Reason at All" proves that a beautiful voice, perfect tone and a simple lyric are all that is needed to bring your ears into heavenly territory. A class act all the way. There will never be another classy lady like Anne in the music business. She is from an era where not a gimmick or look would get you far, but only sheer talent and determination."

Two of Anne's finest from her peak years

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two albums from the late seventies were (I think) her most successful original albums and are also among her best. Although not quite my favorite - I'll always love you, the one that came next, is actually my favorite - these two are not far behind.The first half of this twofer (Let's keep it that way) yielded the American number one pop hit You needed me. It was a top thirty pop hit in Britain. In the nineties, Irish singers Boyzone covered the song and took it into the top ten in Britain.Among the other gems on Let's keep it that way are the title track, Just to feel this love from you (written by the great Jackie De Shannon), I still wish the very best for you and brilliant covers of Walk right back (Everly brothers), Hold me tight (Johnny Nash) and Tennessee waltz (Patti Page).The second half of this twofer (New kind of feeling) does not include anything as famous as You needed me, but it is a wonderful album. Among the great tracks here are Shadows in the moonlight, I just fall in love again, Yucatan cafe and brilliant covers of You've got what it takes (Brook Benton and Dinah Washington) and Raining in my heart (Buddy Holly)."