Sara Evans: Born To Fly : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Sara Evans has such a stunning country voice that, in other era, she would've stood toe-to-toe with Tammy and Loretta. But hard-core country songs just don't cut it on the charts these days, which is why Evans' third CD isn't the masterpiece it could've been. Her emotion-drenched twang, so reminiscent of Patty Loveless, seems wasted on pop material like Diane Warren's "I Could Not Ask for More" and the pissed-off, Alanis-flavored "You Don't." Her reading of Bruce Hornsby's "Every Little Kiss" is technically perfect, but fails to uncover any new depth or emotion in the song. But give Evans a real country number, like the rueful ballad "I Learned That From You" or the rollicking, humorous "I Keep Lookin'," and there are few in Nashville who can touch her. Evans also soars on the CD's rootsy title track, featuring harmonies from Ricky Skaggs and a great jam-session fadeout anchored by the tasteful percussion of rock veteran Matt Chamberlain. But while Born To Fly is a solid album, one wonders what that magnificent voice would've done with more traditional material.

(ANDREA DRESDALE)