Shadowland

great 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

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.

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.

The album is good K.D Lang has a beautiful voice I want to get into more of his music

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

This type of country is squarely my shit. Not every song is perfect but what a lovely listen.

I had never seriously listened to KD Lang before this, and I need to reconsider some life choices. This album is a warm cup of tea and a blanket. All warm, soft edges, flowing. It's intimate and comforting. You can feel the intention and the craft behind every voice accent and every instrumentation choice. This record enveloped me. It is tightly connected to the tradition from which it flowed. There is an obvious reverence and love for these songs: as if KD Lang was inviting us to her house and introducing these songs as her friends, stopping for a bit of conversation with each one, sharing what makes them special without telling us but by showing us what they are made of, what they mean for her, where they come from and where they might be going next. This love from the material never turns into sterile imitation. In that she is supported by a flawless production, completely in the service of the songs. She is never crushed by the excellence of the songs, but instead shows what is possible when this excellence can free you to find your own voice. In a way this makes this record a wonderful example for how constraints can lead to outstanding creativity. Nothing is superfluous here. The result is a record that manages the rare feat of feeling lush and humble at the same time. And completely timeless. I will come back here.

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?

My life has been rather stressful recently, I needed this, lovely listen.

I thought I knew who k.d. lang was, but I did not. Very cool, very country/western.

This album confirms I'm not a huge kd lang fan, which is something I always suspected.

Look I’m not a fan of country music, but this is AMAZING. Probably one of my top albums of all time noe

Works like this are sonically passable, but do they really deserve to be on a list of the 1001 most important albums in history? Shadowland sounds like a 40s or 50s soft jazz-country album, but released (incredibly) in 1988. It's such a step backwards in musical progress that you have to wonder if the authors of 1001 Albums sprinkled in a few personal favourites to pad the numbers. Toronto Star described the music as "purely retrogressive and deferential", and if that's not an indicator of a record that shouldn't be on this list, I don't know what is. The music isn't very memorable or interesting, though I'll give that it sounds pretty good. The production is on-point. k.d. lang's voice is consistently silky and beautiful (some jazz scat would've gone hard). I enjoyed the horns throughout, and the quietly intense strings on various songs, including Black Coffee. There isn't much in the way of album experience/flow – that is, not many "ups" and "downs" to keep the listener seriously engaged – but then, the same is true of most albums. 3/5 Key tracks: Western Stars, Black Coffee, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them

An inoffensive album of low-stakes country covers by singer-songwriter k.d. lang was not an encounter I’d anticipated, but I’ll take it for a Monday.

Smooth country flavored wallpaper. Come on, generator - let's have a better week please!

Boring Boring Boring

Great voice, unfortunately for me this type of music is just absolutely unbearable to listen to. I stopped after third song, it didn't make sense anyway. Sorry KD Lang, I really tried.

UNIRONICALLY i fwt shit's soulful af

I'm not a fan of country music so I've avoided k.d. lang up til I was served this album. What a remarkable and marvelous voice. Absolutely floored by how much I loved listening.

# 406 : Sweet and powerful voice, but alas more unbearable country music…

I have never listened to this artist before. Listening conditions: Leg day Ngl listening to these albums back to back while trying to do legs has been pretty tough. I don’t remember any of the songs on this album immediately after listening. When I did tune in I can’t say I was fully enjoying the album. I probably won’t listen to it again.

It’s been really hot and ridiculously humid here in the northeast the last few weeks, so it wasn’t really surprising that when I put this on during my drive home, I started feeling sleepy. Humidity is a fucking burden, constantly weighing you down. So, I listened to about half and then put on something to get the blood pumping: “Too Hot Too Sleep” by Daniel Romano’s Outfit. Best decision I made all day.

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

No va

I agree with a lot of the reviews. Cabaret / Christmas songs that are perfect for a hotel or restaurant. There is nothing on here that grabs you or is worth listening too. I have no idea how it made the list.

One of the most beautiful voices ever.

Just loved it

Albums like this is why Im thankful for this whole process. I really don’t know how I would’ve came across this. k.d.’s voice is one of the better ones I’ve heard and the band playing along side is just as sharp. One of my new all time country albums.

KD goes country was never on my radar. She's pretty damn good at it too, its more like that small town watering hole country music at points between love ballads. I just really enjoyed this one.

Lang has a golden voice and a mountain of respect for her musical tradition.

Great songs, stunning voice, sounds fantastic

It’s been a while since I listened to this album, although I used to play it a lot. I enjoyed getting to know it again. kd lang’s voice is excellent and really suited to the material, essentially country jazz torch songs. I first heard her on her duet with Roy Orbison and her voice sits somewhere between his and Patsy Cline’s. Black Coffee and I’m Down To My Last Cigarette are particularly good. Really well produced and played, with a lovely pedal steel snaking through many of the tracks.

245 days in, I've discovered 3 albums I've never heard before that get 5 stars. This is one of them. I wish someone would have made me listen back in 1988 or even 1992 after Constant Craving hit big. I love this album for all it is. Stylized, well produced, thought out, blend of styles, familiar and original at the same time.

Day335 - i guess this is mostly a covers album but what a voice she has.

Aye now THIS is an ALBUM! I can’t stand country music or so I thought! But this was so good, her voice, the lyrics, the guitar. Whew! The last four songs are fucking incredible, shoutout to my girl K.D.!

This was a wonderful surprise. It was as much blues/R&B as it was country. Avery nice mix of all styles that integrated very well with each other. She has a really nice voice. This album was a good introduction to K.D.

Finally an album I really like that I haven’t heard of. Lang has a beautiful voice and a good mix of songs and instrumental arrangements!

Relaxing asf

Such a beautiful voice!!!

Country is not really my thing but she sounds great

I did not want this album to end. This is pure country perfection. I don't know what happened during this 3rd listen, but let's just say I became a superfan. So much emotion and heart packed into the delivery of every line, and the perfect arrangements. My god I don't know what else to say about this album. Best 35 minutes of my life

I don’t k ow any merging about KD Lang, but I love this album!

Really interesting cowboy-esque. Woman old Willie Nelson? 8/10

I think my favourite we’ve listened to so far. So so good.

Jesus motherfucking Christ this woman has an absolutely exquisite voice. I don’t care wtf she’s singing. I don’t care that this is a million miles away from what I usually like. This voice is crazy perfect. I’m along for the ride and loving it. Recording quality, tight band, traditional arrangements - there are no flaws. She’s Peggy Lee, Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline. Timeless and effortless. I hate how much I love this.

Gorgeous voice. I don't think lang sings any of her own stuff here, but as a work of interpretation it's masterful. Just well arranged music, with a lovely, slightly spooky production, a nice amount of variety whilst remaining cohesive... ...and did I mention lang's voice? Mightily impressive.

I can hear this being played on a crackly record in a saloon.

Sublime. 5 stars.

Her voice is so good!

If more country music singers sounded like this instead of super Southern or redneck twang BS, I'd listen more often. Loved it

Relaxed slow Country

Was exactly what I wanted to be hearing yesterday morning 9/10

A raucous prime rib party must be going on somewhere

Great album, brings back nights around the Frederick fire.

KD Lang's voice is so good it got Owen Bradley off the retirement couch and back in the studio with all his old pals. I love this. Some might not vibe with this, but you have to recognize that this is a pure, honest, representation of an original American art form (even if KD is from Alberta).

A lesbian!!! Admito que country não me pega tanto. Mesmo assim, ela não deixa a peteca cair!!! O álbum é bom do início ao fim. Algumas músicas tem um som mais estereotipado do gênero, mas os vocais e a interpretação são divinos! Outros momentos são mais jazzy e dão um balanço legal ao álbum. Gostei muito e passou voando.

I remember K.D. Lang being kind of a big deal in the 80s, but I was a kid & wasn't paying attention. As a fully fledged adult, I'm glad this challenge has introduced me to her music. Holy smokes, this is fantastic. I'm a fan of country music, and I love her particular style of country. It's got soul, melody, and depth. I feel nourished after listening to this. I don't normally give 5 stars to something so brand new to my ears, but this is excellent.

Loveeee it

What a great album! A tribute to some amazing songwriting, coupled with k.d. lang’s gorgeous vocals. You totally hear the influence of Patsy Cline.

I hear some country and western, but the style is more lounge. I felt like I entered a small bar in the 1950s ... I think the slide guitar is what makes the sound so C & W. K. D. is a great singer. A treat to hear the full album.

Am I really going to rate a country album I’ve never heard of a five stars? Yes I am. Country has many sub genres, and although I don’t know what to call this one, I love it. Lang’s voice is just phenomenal.

Interesting, great orchestration, surprisingly delightful. Genre bending excellence.

100% great!

RIYL Patsy Cline etc. which I do

Great 👍

Wish I had found this album sooner

Makee laulaja

Turns out I love k.d. lang.

Listened to this in the car and fell asleep. Pretty chill

Yay! Gorgeous voice, marvelous songs, I sure needed this today. "Black Coffee" has been a favorite from back in the day, and "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley" is a goddamn world treasure with Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, and Brenda Lee! More amazing women like all of these, please!

This is a k.d. lang album with which I was not familiar. It was quite twangy, but I have no complaint, especially as the music is backing such a beautiful voice.

This is exquisite. I have no notes.

I’ve heard this album before but it has been a long time. Good lord this is a great album! k.d. lang’s voice is perfection! Back when this came out I was in love with “Black Coffee.” It’s perfect - impressive that it can still stand out on an album filled with stand outs! How k.d. lang slipped out of the rotation I don’t know, but I’m glad to have her back! THAT VOICE! Gliding effortlessly around these melodies so smoothly. Truly the pinnacle of torch-song country!

upon re-listen i love it!

Well dang, did not expect that sound to go with that album cover. How have I never heard of her, she's got a phenomenal voice! most angelic yeehaw music I've ever heard.

28th April 2023 Was in Albania for Barnett's stag so listened on the Tuesday in the new kitchen with Jen having been at Denise's for drinks. Gorgeous stuff, absolutely loved it. As did Jen.

Great album, great voice, great songs. Reminds me of marfa

I really liked the voice she has, it's so beautiful. Waltz Me (Once Again Around the Dance Floor was amazing, I mean all the songs were but that I especially liked that one.

cool

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.

очень приятный альбомчик, so sexy местами

I wish all music sounded like this

Lovely country tones with a genuine voice

just absolutely great ear sex🥰

So rich with emotion, and she has such a raw, talented voice. This album has become a favorite.

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.

Hmmmm, 5? I fucking love this

Loved it. Great country.

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.

Love this, wasn't expecting it to have such a country vibe.

Loved it!

Awesome

It’s excellent. Deserved of many many repeat listens.

It's a good record, well produced, and KD can certainly sing, but I have one major issue: it sounds like Patsy Cline. I love Patsy Cline, but if I want to listen to Patsy Cline, I listen to Patsy Cline. KD convinced Pasty's producer to come on board for this recording, and not only did he oblige; he did what he knew to do: make a Patsy Cline album. I enjoyed the recording much more than I admittedly wanted to, but I struggle with this album being on the list. If I were to commit to buying 1001 albums, although I think I already own that many, anyway, if I had 1001 You Must Hear Before You Die in my room, would I have this and not Patsy Cline, as the list suggests? Should it be the way Patsy is not on it, or do I have this great album, but without Patsy Cline, this album does not exist? See, it's conflicting, considering Patsy did help pave the way for female country singers in a very big way. Some may argue that Patsy is a hits artist, given how music was sold and produced, but her second record, Showcase with the Jordanaires, is an amazing album. I highly suggest you visit that record and listen to this album. Both have the same backing singers; although they are only on three tracks with Shadowlands, both have the same producer and feature multiple musicians from the Cline record. The tracks have a feel to them, familiar, so remarkably familiar. See, I knew who KD Lang was and was familiar with her existence at the time, the 1988 time when Shadowland was released, but I have never listened to it until now, and it grows on you due to the familiarity of the music. If you appreciate country music, especially the classics, and have never listened to this, I assure you will see what she has done; all the tracks are familiar. They all sound like many other songs and yet have an individual feel. It's pure homage and is done extremely well, from the production to the Jordanaires doing the backing vocals. It reminds me of a Tarantino film where he utilizes actors from classic exploitation films to redux their roles in a sense, and she nailed it. After all that rambling, maybe it does belong. I have two more years to work through this list, so that that time will tell. Shadowland is a fantastic record with only a few weak tracks, but it is not one thing. No matter how hard it tries, it isn't Patsy Cline's most successful record because, without Showcase, you cannot have Shadowland—or perhaps it's Showcase Shadowland. Note: Showcase dropped in 1961, and two albums from that year are on the list. If you look at the best albums from 1961, you will find Coltrane's My Favorite Things. I assure you, you need to hear it unless you hate jazz.

Pleasantly chill and easy listening 1950s style country where k.d. lang's voice comes through like soft butter on a slice of toast. She's like a country crooner, and I'm here for it.

I have come to really enjoy K.D. Lang thanks to this list. This album wasn't quite as good as Ingenue, but still really enjoyable.

Stunning. Lang straddles the neo-traditionalist country she started out with and the voice, sound & maturity of Ingénue. Countrypolitan to its core, Bradley did an amazing job bringing a nostalgic air to the proceedings well worth listening to for the project and after.

Never heard of k.d. lang before and man this one rocked. Canadian Cowpunk indeed. I will be listening to the rest of k.d. lang's discography now

I'm not really a country gal, but hey, "torch country" (thanks for that, Wiki) apparently does it for me. It's also jazzy, in places. I didn't know k.d. lang had recorded an album of covers before coming up with Ingénue. Her voice is so gorgeous that I forgave any cheesiness; the album is soothing, sultry in places, and beautifully crafted.