Search - Valerie Carter :: Midnight Over Honey River

Great on disc 1, less so on disc 2

Friendlycard | Norfolk, UK | 03/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've long been an admirer of Valerie Carter, both as a solo artist (check out her excellent 'Wild Child' and 'The Way It Is' albums) and as a backing singer, so had high expectations of this album.



For any intending purchaser, I would point out that there seem to be two versions of 'Midnight Over Honey River'. The first, single-disc version is an enjoyable listen, a live set of twelve tracks recorded in 2002. Valerie's vocals are really excellent here and the backing is subtle and suits her style. Some of her songs benefit greatly from being extended, and are more absorbing and rounded as a result. The album is beautifully laid-back in places. All in all, an extremely enjoyable album.



The two-CD version adds a 2003 live set plus two studio tracks. This version tends to be a great deal more expensive, but the second disc is rather disappointing. Despite a backing section which includes Fred Tackett, Paul Barrere and Bill Payne, the live set is strangely lacking in impact, and neither of the studio tracks is particularly memorable.



'Live Over Honey River' is a nice complement to a collection of her studio albums, and the first CD is very good, but I would not recommend paying heavily for the two-disc version."