I'm Alright (CD - 1998)

Personnel: Jo Dee Messina (vocals); Larry Byrum (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Pat Buchanan, Jeffrey C. King, Byron Gallimore (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin); Steven J. Nathan (piano); Mike Brignardello (bass); William (Lon) Wilson (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Curtis Young, Kim Parent, Chris Rodriguez, Ralph Friedrichsen (background vocals).

Recorded at Loud Recording, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Jo Dee Messina (background vocals); Larry Byrum (acoustic guitar); Dann Huff, Jeff King , Michael Landau, Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason , Byron Gallimore (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Glen Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano); Lonnie Wilson (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Chris Rodriguez, Curtis Young, Deborah Allen, Camille Harrison, Robin Lee Bruce, Ralph Friedrichsen, Kim Parent (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge.

Recording information: Loud Recording, Nashville, TN.

Photographers: Peter Nash; Tamara Reynolds.

Jo Dee Messina's sophomore album might be called I'M ALRIGHT, but its real message is "I'm Alright...without you." In song after song on this mostly upbeat album, Jo Dee plays the Strong Woman role, whether she's telling unfaithful or non-committal lovers to beat it, or insisting on a relationship that's equal in every way. In the infectious "Bye Bye," she's driving away from her loser boyfriend, declaring that she's got "the rear view mirror torn off, I ain't never lookin' back." Elsewhere, she's talking herself into leaving a nowhere relationship ("No Time For Tears"), refusing to get involved with a guy who's bad news ("I Know A Heartache") or warning a straying lover that he'll get what's coming to him one day (a cover of the late Dottie West's hit "Lesson In Leaving"). These types of songs are Messina's strength. I'M ALRIGHT is a fine follow-up to Messina's hit debut, with well-chosen material that provides a showcase for her powerful voice. minimize