Rebecca Lynn Howard (album) explained

Rebecca Lynn Howard
Type:studio
Artist:Rebecca Lynn Howard
Cover:RebeccaLynnHoward2000.jpg
Released:May 2, 2000
Recorded:1999
Studio:Javelina Recording Studios (Nashville, TN)
Genre:Country
Length:42:14
Label:MCA Nashville
Producer:Mark Wright
Next Title:Forgive
Next Year:2002

Rebecca Lynn Howard (originally titled When My Dreams Come True)[1] is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard, released May 2, 2000 via MCA Nashville.[2] Before this, she had recorded an entire full-length album under the Rising Tide Nashville label, which went unreleased due to the label's bankruptcy.[3] She then went to Decca Nashville, which also closed.[4] In early 1999, she would get a deal with MCA Nashville Records, a deal which would last until 2004 when she left the label following yet another unreleased album.[5] The album was initially planned to be released on September 7, 1999.[6]

Unusual for a debut artist at the time, Howard co-wrote all but two tracks on the album. The record was produced by Mark Wright. Rebecca Lynn Howard received a positive reception from music critics, with praise going towards Howard's vocals and songwriting. Three official singles were released, none of which became successful. The highest-charting, "Out Here in the Water", only peaked at number 54 on the US Hot Country Songs chart. "I Don't Paint Myself into Corners" and "Melancholy Blue" would be recorded by label-mate Trisha Yearwood on her 2001 studio album Inside Out, with the former becoming a charting single for her in 2002. The album would reach a minute peak of number 54 on the Top Country Albums chart.[7]

Critical reception

Rebecca Lynn Howard received a mostly favorable reception from music critics. In a mixed review for AllMusic, Philip Van Vleck criticized the album's more pop-sounding songs and some of Howard's writing while praising "Was It as Hard to Be Together" as being the "only genuine country ballad" on the album. Phyllis Stark of Billboard gave the album a positive review, noting how at times Howard's vibrato is reminiscent of Dolly Parton.[8]

Commercial performance

Rebecca Lynn Howard debuted and peaked at number 54 on the US Top Country Albums chart with 2,500 copies sold first week.[9] It spent only one week before falling off.

Personnel

Compiled from liner notes.[10]

Musicians

String section on "Melancholy Blue": Kristin Wilkinson, John Catchings, Donald Christian Teal, David Davidson

String section on "Believe It or Not": The Nashville String Machine

Technical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rebecca Lynn Howard – When My Dreams Come True (CD, Advance, Album, Promo) . August 16, 2024 . Discogs.
  2. Web site: Discography on Allmusic.com. Allmusic. 2 August 2013.
  3. Web site: Rebecca Lynn Howard – Advance Album (CD, Advance, Album, Promo) . August 16, 2024 . Discogs.
  4. News: Price . Deborah Evans . April 1, 2000 . Label Difficulties Behind, Howard Makes Her MCA Debut . August 16, 2024 . . . 65 . . 112 . 14 . 0006-2510.
  5. News: Stark . Phyllis . February 28, 2004 . Nashville Scene: Goldstone Moves to Emerging Music Marketing . August 16, 2024 . . . 45 . . 116 . 9 . 0006-2510.
  6. News: September 7, 1999 . A Quick List of Country's New Album Releases . . 64 . 1307.
  7. Billboard Top Country Albums . 19 May 2000 . Billboard . 23 January 2020 .
  8. News: Stark . Phyllis . May 13, 2000 . Paoletta . Michael . Reviews & Previews: Albums . August 16, 2024 . . . 26-27 . . 112 . 20 . 0006-2510.
  9. News: Jessen . Wade . May 20, 2000 . Country Corner . August 16, 2024 . . . 60 . . 112 . 21 . 0006-2510 . ...debut begins at No. 54 with 2,500 scans..
  10. Rebecca Lynn Howard . Rebecca Lynn . Howard . 2000 . CD booklet . MCA Nashville . 088 170 091 2.