You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs (CD - 1997)

Personnel: LeAnn Rimes (vocals); Milo Deering (acoustic & steel guitars, fiddle); Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar); John Willis, Jerry Matheny (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Steve Nathan, Kelly Glenn, Jimmy Kelly (keyboards); Curtis Randall (bass, background vocals); Michael Rhodes, Bob Gentry (bass); Greg Morrow, Dan Wojciechowski (drums); Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose, Michael Black, Dennis Wilson, Gary Leach (background vocals).

Producers: Wilbur C. Rimes, Chuck Howard, Mike Curb.

Engineers: Greg Hunt, Mike McClain, Bob Campbell-Smith.

Recorded at Rosewood Studio, Tyler, Texas; McClain Studios, Dallas Texas; Starstruck Studios, Curb Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

"How Do I Live" was nominated for 1998 Grammys for Song Of The Year and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Personnel: LeAnn Rimes (vocals); Milo Deering (acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle); Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar); Jerry Matheny, John Willis, John Wills (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Kelly Glenn, Jimmy Kelly, Steve Nathan (keyboards); Dan Wojeciechowski, Greg Morrow, Fred Gleber (drums); Curtis Randall, Dennis Wilson , Dennis Quartet Wilson, Gary Leach, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pamela Rose, Michael Black (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Mike McClain; Greg Hunt; Greg White Hunt; Mick Guzauski; Bob Campbell-Smith.

Recording information: McClain Studio, Dallas, TX; McClain Studios, Dallas, TX; Rosewood Studio, Tyler, TX; Starstruck, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: John Chiasson.

Unknown Contributor Role: David Hall .

The teenage country belter follows up her multi-platinum BLUE with an album of "inspirational songs." While Rimes' definition of that term includes the traditionally gospel-oriented "Clinging To A Saving Hand" and " On The Side Of The Angels," it's also expansive enough to encompass pop standards like "The Rose" and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE might be the least country of her recordings up to this point, relying more on a piano-based pop approach than the steel-guitar-led C&W of her previous work.

Rimes' voice remains the pure, crystalline instrument that has endeared her to millions. Whether she's making the world forget Debby Boone with her version of the title song, or shoving Kate Smith aside with a definitive "God Bless America," her voice is powerful and communicative. To drive the point home, the album closes with a cappella versions of "Amazing Grace" and the National Anthem. minimize