Reba McEntire is in top form on her latest MCA release, So Good Together, with a fine blend of livin’, lovin, and leavin’ songs. The whole album has a fresh, vibrant feel to it and, indeed, McEntire herself feels it is one of her best efforts.

The album starts off with the bouncy, thumping, boisterously affectionate title cut, "We’re So Good Together" and keeps the good feelings going in the subsequent track, "‘Til I Said It to You." The latter song, however, is softly sentimental with an introspective, somber piano intro. It speaks of the singer’s realization of the immense power of the word, love, when it is honestly spoken.

"I’ll Be," written by Diane Warren, is a tribute to the compelling supportiveness of love. Only someone who has known a deep and strong love could sing this song, and McEntire is entirely convincing.

The first single release from the album,"What Do You Say," has zoomed up the charts proving, once again, McEntire’s ability to speak for every man and every woman faced with the trials and tribulations of daily life.
One of the standout numbers on the CD is "Roses," written by Melba Montgomery. The opening fiddle, random bluegrass riffs and strong pedal steel throughout give the song an old-time feeling. Rose bouquets, dried roses, rose wallpaper - all mark time, and stand in mute testimony to the passages of life.

"I’m Not Your Girl" expresses confusion about why something that should be so right, feels so wrong, while "She Wasn’t Good Enough for Him" and "Nobody Dies From a Broken Heart" are classic McEntire “he done her wrong songs”, without which no McEntire album would be complete. McEntire tackles the miseries of divorce in" Back Before the War," as always, finding a new and poignant way to capture the inherent anguish.

The tone of the album lightens with the soft-hearted, idealistic, "Where You End and I Begin" and closes out with "We’re All Alone" in which successful Brazilian duo Jose and Duval add intriguing Spanish lyrics and flavor to the song.

McEntire credits the use of three producers as the reason for the album’s success. “As you will hear when you listen to the album,” says McEntire, “each (Tony Brown, David Malloy and Keith Stegall) brought something uniquely his own to the project. I love variety, and I think this collection of songs offers the listener a roller coaster of emotions. This is an album I am proud of.”

This album is classic Reba and is sure to please both traditionalists and country-pop lovers everywhere.

Secret of Giving CD Review

Mountain West Music 2002