Evolution (CD - 1997)

Personnel includes: Martina McBride (vocals, tambourine); Clint Black (vocals, electric guitar); Biff Watson, Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Worley (acoustic & 12-string guitars); Dann Huff (gut string guitar, 6 & 12-string electric guitars, 6-string bass); Daryl Schiff, Dean Parks (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin, Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin); Larry Franklin (fiddle); Timothy J. Lauer (accordian, harmonium); John Hobbs (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Jim Brickman (piano); Matt Rollings (Hammond B-3 organ); Dan Shea (synthesizer, programming); Mike Brignardello (bass); Lonnie Wilson (drums); Kim Richey, Gene Miller, Sara Evans, Danny Wilde, Susan Ashton (background vocals).

Producers: Martina McBride, Paul Worley, Clint Black, James Stroud, Dan Shea.

Engineers include: Kevin Beamish, Clarke Schleicher, Ed Seay.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Martina McBride (vocals, tambourine, background vocals); Dann Huff (guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, gut-string guitar, 6-string bass); Greg Foresman (guitar); Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Paul Worley (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, sound effects); Marty Schiff, Dean Parks, Darryl Schiff, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Clint Black, Patrick Bergeson, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (12-string guitar, steel guitar); Wayne Dahl, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Jim Skelding, Larry Franklin, Chris Carmichael (fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Jim Hoke (pennywhistle); Tim Lauer (accordion, harmonium); Amy Buchanan, Jim Brickman, John Hobbs (piano); Jim Medlin (keyboards); Dan Shea (synthesizer); Antoine Salley (bass guitar); John "J.R." Robinson , Lonnie Wilson, Greg Herrington (drums); Tom Roady (congas, shaker, tambourine, percussion); Danny Wilde, Gene Miller, Herb Pedersen, Jason Sellers, John Wesley Ryles, Mary Ann Kennedy, Neil Thrasher, Sara Evans, Steve Real, Susan Ashton, Vicki Hampton, Kim Fleming, Liana Manis, Kim Richey, Bob Bailey (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Chuck Ainlay; Clarke Schleicher; Mick Guzauski.

Recording information: Conway Studios, LA, CA; Money Pit, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage, Nashville, TN; Starstruck, Nashville, TN; The Music Mill; Wally World Studios, San Rafael, CA.

Evolution is an appropriate title; it's clear that Martina McBride has grown -- evolved -- between Wild Angels and this terrific follow-up. That's not to say Wild Angels wasn't wonderful in its own right -- its blend of rootsy country and contemporary production was clever, and her singing and songs were spot-on -- but Evolution is different and special in its own way. It is true that it's smoother than its predecessor, especially with polished duets like "Valentine" (with Jim Brickman) and "Still Holding On" (Clint Black). What makes Evolution work is the purity and power of McBride's voice -- she is one of the few contemporary country singers who can pull off this kind of country-pop. And that's not all she can do, as the rocking "Keeping My Distance" or the gospel-inflected "A Broken Wing" prove. Furthermore, McBride's songs remain staunchly independent and strong-willed, with clear feminist overtones, which helps make Evolution a rarity among contemporary country albums -- it's catchy and it has a heart. ~ Thom Owens

Flavoring her country style with a strong dose of Top 40 pop, McBride simultaneously conveys a fragile femininity and a deep inner strength. She's equally convincing crying over a broken heart ("Wrong Again") and belting out a powerful anthem of self reliance ("Happy Girl", "Keeping My Distance"). And between dueting with Clint Black ("Still Holding On") and collaborating with New Age pianist Jim Brickman ("Valentine"), the petite singer is in good company.

On EVOLUTION, McBride's voice is captured at its crystal-clear best. Her vocal style contains echoes of such legends as Linda Ronstadt, Crystal Gayle, and Roseanne Cash blended with the clarity of contemporaries like Faith Hill and Lari White. EVOLUTION clearly shows McBride in top form. minimize