LeAnn Rimes
Blue

THE REVIEW

Warning! Listening to this album is not a crime but be prepared for the possibility of a visit from the authorities at your home, who might accuse you of musical pedophilia. This is because at the time of the release of "Blue" in 1996, its performer LeAnn Rimes, born Margaret as the records show, had just debuted as a teenager. In metaphorical terms: she was thirteen years old. And this is her first album, at least the first released under a notable label (Nashville's Curb Records), although it appears the kid had previously released several others through obscure independent labels in the U.S. music underground.

A quick analysis of the material would have investigators noting the following: the album "Blue" consists of 11 songs ranging from 2 to 3 minutes, with a total running time of just 35 minutes. The musical style can be classified as country, with tracks evenly divided between sentimental ballads ("Hurt Me"), mid-tempo songs where guitars offer smooth riffs ("The Light In Your Eyes"), and more tense and upbeat rock-blues tracks ("One Way Ticket" or "Talk To Me") where the young girl's warm and precise voice stands out.

Which is not at all a child’s voice (you might say in your defense if accused), but what is striking in this album is indeed the level of expressive maturity achieved by the very young LeAnn, who at thirteen had the same voice she would showcase a few years later (in 2000) in the song "Can't Fight The Moonlight," included in the soundtrack for the movie "Coyote Ugly".

A typically American phenomenon, that of the teenage stars, equally as exaggerated is the success accompanying this album: 6 million copies sold in the U.S., another 2 million worldwide. So if you're in search of good easy listening complete with prairie landscapes in the background ("Cattle Call," a cattle call, is the title of one of the songs, in a duet with country veteran Eddy Arnold), "Blue" might be for you. But be warned, I've told you: you might want to hide the young lady's ID.