When Fallen Angels Fly (CD - 1994)

Personnel: Patty Loveless (vocals); Biff Watson, Paul Worley (acoustic guitar); Steve Gibson (acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin); Richard Bennett (acoustic & electric guitars); Sonny Garrish, Paul Franklin, Pete Finney (steel guitar); Jimmy Hall (harp); John Barlow Jarvis, John Hobbs (piano); Mike Lawler (keyboards); Emory Gordy, Jr. (bass); Harry Stinson (drums, background vocals); Owen Hale (drums); Eddy Anderson (percussion); Kathy Burdick, Tim Hensley, Liana Manis, Donna McElroy, Carmella Ramsey, Curtis Young (background vocals).

"You Don't Even Know Who I Am" was nominated for 1996 Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song.

Personnel: Patty Loveless (vocals); Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Paul Worley, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Jerry Douglas (slide guitar); Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish, Pete Finney (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Glen Duncan (fiddle); Jimmy Hall (harmonica); John Barlow Jarvis (piano); Mike Lawler (keyboards); Harry Stinson (drums, background vocals); Owen Hale (drums); Carmella Ramsey, Curtis Young, Dawn Sears, Donna McElroy, Liana Manis, Tim Hensley, Kathy Burdick (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: John Guess.

Photographer: Randee Saint Nicholas.

Patty Loveless expanded on the success of her comeback album, Only What I Feel, on its successor, When Fallen Angels Fly, which made the country Top Ten, went gold, spawned four Top Ten singles, and was named the Country Music Association's Album of the Year. Songs like the feisty hit "Halfway Down" had a bouncy rockabilly feel, and Loveless rode the rhythms well, while on the ballad "Here I Am," another hit, she sounded like a country Stevie Nicks. And then there was "I Try To Think About Elvis," a comic rocker that was one of the best pieces of material to turn up in Nashville that year, and that Loveless performed with just enough tongue in her cheek. Of course, there were a couple of those hopelessly hokey Gretchen Peters ballads, but even one of those, "You Don't Even Know Who I Am," was a hit. ~ William Ruhlmann

How does an artist follow up not only the best album of their career but probably the best country album of the year? That was Patty Loveless' dilemma after her 1993 gold album, ONLY WHAT I FEEL. Fortunately, Loveless sets all minds to rest with the spectacular WHEN FALLEN ANGELS FLY.

Patty Loveless is one of country music's strongest vocalists, a favorite duet/harmony partner of many country artists, especially super-vocalist Vince Gill. Her voice is the mournful call of the hills of Kentucky, powerful and proud, yet expressive and vulnerable. She brings a spiritual and graceful depth to her material, especially the ballads, her forte. From the wrenching "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" to the hushed "Over My Shoulder" Loveless offers pristine classics, and once again hits her artistic zenith. Then she switches gears and has fun with the novelty hit "I Think About Elvis" and rocks out with the Rolling Stones-ish "Old Weakness (Coming On Strong)." Her songs are varied, but always mature and haunting.

Patty Loveless is a stylist in the classic sense, an interpreter extraordinaire. Her song selection is impeccable, her production crisp and reverent. She is the best of all musical worlds: passionate, inspirational and hip. This once-fallen angel rises further with each new album; and she soars WHEN FALLEN ANGELS FLY. minimize