Shadowland
k.d. lang
1988
Album Summary
Shadowland is the debut solo album by k.d. lang, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). The album included her collaboration with Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee on "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley" and was produced by Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline's best-known work.
Wikipediagreat music for when I’m a sad dyke but want to be country about it. This album definitely dips into being cheesy and maudlin at times, but Lang’s vocal performance is so fantastic that she sells it well enough. weirdly, this album felt a lot longer than 35 minutes. 7/10
This type of country is squarely my shit. Not every song is perfect but what a lovely listen.
I thought I knew who k.d. lang was, but I did not. Very cool, very country/western.
My life has been rather stressful recently, I needed this, lovely listen.
Imagine this being your first album. A bunch of cabaret-style country cover songs. This is hotel lobby fodder if I've ever heard it. Has no place on this list. 2/5.
i'd forgotten how sweet and how powerful her voice is. this was a joy to hear, even thought i don't really love the music - it was a definite throwback to a time that's pretty much lost, when country music could be lonely and soulful, and not just cheap beer and cheap flags.
This isn't country... I've been tricked. It's jazzy lounge music reminiscent of 40s and 50s clubs. It's the very definition of easy listening, with a soulful voice and cozy sound, utilizing techniques from jazz, blues, and country. It's fine to listen to, but some songs suck, and I don't think there's anything to write outstanding about any of the tracks. Favorites: Western Stars, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Black Coffee, Busy Being Blue
This album confirms I'm not a huge kd lang fan, which is something I always suspected.
I thought "oh, nice voice, but in the 50s music wasn't really to my taste". Then I saw it was made in 1988! What the fuck? How is it on this list? As a significant throwback karaoke album? Nope.
Fabulous. Just fabulous. One reason for doing this is to 'discover' prominent artists who despite attaining global prominence have somehow stayed off my radar. I'm now a fully certified kd fan. Thank you
The album is good K.D Lang has a beautiful voice I want to get into more of his music
Я удивлён. Думал, что это будет кантри, но если кантри и есть, то крайне в крайне необычном виде. Джаз и блюз великолепен. Голос исполнительницы шикарен. Красивый. Даже буду переслушивать.
Right on. This is why this is a fun project. Best find so far. I mean, what's not to like? Old-school country, produced perfectly. (I just read that she convinced Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline, to come out retirement.) Lang has an amazing voice. Also that opening track is pure bliss. Why did it take me so long to listen to this?
Being pretty young throughout the 90s, and growing up in a rather conservative area, the only context I *ever* had for k.d. land was "DiD yOu KnOw ShE's A lEsBiAn?!?!?" I'm sad to say that that was still basically all I still knew about her before listening to this. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) to learn that she is essentially a slightly more baritone, updated version of Patsy Cline! I adored this album. Catchy tunes interspersed with wistful ballads. This is my favorite kind of country music. I'm somewhere between a 4 and a 5 on this, but writing out my feelings has (temporarily, at least) boosted me to a 5.
So rich with emotion, and she has such a raw, talented voice. This album has become a favorite.
Growing up in Canada, I always heard k.d. lang's name but I never listened to her solo. I've listened to her on the amazing case/lang/veirs album so I knew her voice. I loved it. Definitely regret not listening to her earlier in my life. She has such a great voice for country and it hits me in the right spot.
I like this more than "Ingenue". It's more of a cut-and-dry country record, with a chorus of all-stars at the end, and some interesting choices of instruments (don't remember much saxophone on other country records). Still not really for me, but I can kind of see the reverence around it. 3.5 stars. Favorite tracks: "Black Coffee", "Down to My Last Cigarette"
My only reference point for KD Lang was that my friend's lesbian mom listened to her. I had no idea what she sounded like, but she is far more soulful than I imagined.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: (Waltz me), Don't let the stars get in your eyes, Tears don't care who cries them
Swings from fun and pokey to smoky and romantic. Pair with a date at home. 4/5
Wasn't sure about this originally. First few songs a bit slow and waiting for it to pick up. I've since listened about 5 time so feel 4 stars warranted. Picked up after tears don't care who cried them
Nice mix of country and jazzy sounds. Excellent voice. Could listen again
After exploring many country touchstone sounds, often with levity, the music understates itself to make lang's voice the star of the show. The subject matter is utterly consistent; The music has the characters of country and pop but isn't quite either. It seems delicious to slow dance to.
7/10 not a big fan of this genre but I really liked the bluesy rock and roll sound I Wish I Didn’t Love You So, Black Coffee, Shadowland, and Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them were some of the songs I liked most overall a fun album but I don’t think I want to hear any other songs in her discography unless they’re also on this website/book
Holy shit. The opening to this record is not at all what I expected. Sounds like Willie Nelson and his band are backing such a beautiful voice. I love this and I'm truly surprised. I mean, I knew that I liked what I know of K.D. Lang ("Constant Craving" and that's it). Her voice, the surprise that she's actually a country artist, the lack of Southern baggage she carries as a Canadian, and my excitement to listen to this in the summer when I want to nap in a hammock...all lead to a surprising 4 stars. If this wasn't her debut, it might be a 3. Because it's not super original. But to come out of the gates so strong, is just incredible. I look forward to listening more to this record and her other music.
Very cool. If Marty Robbins was a woman, he would have sounded a lot like this.
This album really surprised me! Ended up listening to it at least a few times over. Think in doing so I made myself sick of it? But a solid 4/5 anyway.
I always knew I liked her voice, but this album is so great. Great songs, great band, great arrangements.
Slick and smooth country from country great k.d. lang. With a voice like that and classic country tunes that call back to the great crooners of old, you can't lose. Charming is the word I'm looking for.
A had heard of k.d lang but didn't know much about her before listening to this album. It was a nice mix of country and jazz vocals. If you'd have asked me beforehand I would have thought that this couldn't work but she pulls it of rather well. Enjoyed the whole album quite a bit but the opening track, "Western Stars" was the real standout for me. I could see me putting this on again as just something to relax to with a good book.
I didn't expect this to be anything more than average. But I was really surprised. I felt kind of sheepish because I only gave Loretta Lynn a 3, but this album was more than just good singing. And Lang can really sing (better than Lynn, probably better than many). I kind of viewed it more like the Marty Robbins album. Vocals that fill the ears and some real simple but precise musical accompaniment - perfectly on point for her vocals. Throwback to country of a different time. Really solid.
I like the mixture between country and lounge act lang straddles here. It was her first record so I guess she was still trying to figure things out, but you can hear the real emotion and fire in some of those tunes. Go for it girl, yeah! So... would you file this under country? I guess so. But the jazzier bits break up the monotony. I really dug it, reminded me of Lyle Lovett. Nice refreshing change of pace for me.
This album is a great mix of honky tonk, doo-wop, and a healthy dose of the Bakersfield Sound. KD Lang is strongly influenced by Patsy Cline to the point where she uses her producer on this album. Overall this album reads like a love letter to KD Lang’s heroes and it works incredibly well; her voice can be forceful and delicate and suits the music perfectly.
Gorgeous voice. Timeless songs. Why have I not heard this before. I always thought Ingenue was her first..
Solid combination sof country, jazz and pop here. Favorites: "I Wish I Didn't Love You", "Black Coffee", "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette"
This mix of breathy 30s music and country blues is like crack to me honestly. Idc what it is but I’ll always enjoy it. Especially lock stock and teardrops
Well, to start off, I didn't know KD Lang was a country artist at her debut. I only knew her from the song "Constant Craving" and always thought she was more of a pop artists from the R&B side of the music world. That said, her voice grabs you from the beginning of the first track. She has the perfect female country voice: powerful yet subtle, soft and filled with emotion. This album has a real blast from the past feel. KD Lang isn't Patsy Cline, but she does a hell of an impression. 4/5
Unexpected but a welcome surprise. Classy old fashioned country with a unique twist Great vocals
Wow, this is really cool. Kind of a reverby, female Roy Orbison or something? IDK. I've heard of k.d lang forever but never listened to her stuff. Listened to a few more of her albums and none hit the mark quite like this one.
K.D. Lang has a great, emotive voice, and it’s set well against the backdrop of country stylings
The country vibe bores me to death, but her singing is out of this world and the songs are beautiful
this album is solid. k.d. has a great voice with a really authentic patsy cline vibe. The album feels a little safe, but the what’s there is well-executed. The bass tone on “down to my last cigarette” is super corny
Gorgeous voice - and a nice take on the country genre - very familiar yet compact and smooth. Still very country but that doesn’t bother me.
Country roots with a lot of other sounds in here. What a beautiful voice.
I had heard of k d lang, and knew what she looked like, but never realized she was a country singer. She has a great voice, and this album was some good classic country.
I thought I had heard of k.d. lang but I’m not actually sure I have. Country music usually doesn’t click with me for some reason, but nevertheless I’m still happy to have something to expand my horizons. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: (Waltz Me) Once Again Around The Dancefloor, Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Well I’m certainly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! The vocals are simply beautiful throughout, and the music is mesmerising. The songs that sound typically country with the slide guitars don’t repulse me like a lot of other country songs - I wonder if this might be because there is nothing patriotic and screaming ‘Murica throughout (I’ve since read that k.d. lang is Canadian, so that makes sense). There are also influences from salsa music that come out now and then, as well as Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them, which sounds like it could be a secret Buddy Holly song. Overall, despite my expectations, I enjoyed this very much.
Knowing KD Lang exclusively from "Constant Craving" I was not prepared for an album of lounge/cabaret country! I dug it! I wouldn't be averse to further listens. Fave track - "Lock, Stock, & Teardrops" for lounge, "Black Coffee" for cabaret, and "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette" for country!
Not the most exciting or innovative music, but a damn good album all the same. Great vocals and performances, and I like the slight 80s edge infused into the more traditional pop and country sound. Would easily come back to this one. 3.5/5
Not really a traditional country album but not bad. She has a good voice and the album is decent.
Voice is beautiful. First half of the album was way better than the second.
It has its qualities, but I didn't like the country themes. I may try other album. 7
sorta reminded me of norah jones with the piano and some vocals. damm k.d you can sing. I like how it barely sounds like country. swoonyy. 3.5
Not at all what I expected. I don't really know how to weigh the good and bad of a slowjam honky tonk album, but here we are.
I like this better than Ingenue, but still not the biggest fan of the schmaltzy, lounge singer feel. No doubt she has a great voice. 3 stars.
Music was enjoyable. K.D. Lang has a nice smooth voice, and I'd listen to her again. Not really my style, but was nice background music.
Great vocal performance. The album dives into elements of country and contemporary jazz, but never seems to deliver something unique and original in and of itself. Great album for delivering Lang’s voice to the world, but not an album deserving of this list considering the many jazz and country works that precede it.
Great voice- pipes of an old handsaw. Struggled to actually find the album online to listen to properly, though.
Decent listen, a throwback album to country/western music that I generally like. k.d. has a great voice, and it's nice for easing into the morning. I'm not entirely sure why it's on this list, though. It's a great showcase for her talents, but it doesn't seem particularly ground-breaking, and I'd go to other artists (e.g., Patsy Cline) for better seminal work in the genre.