K. D. Lang

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 19 Jul 2003 12:00 pm

I see she is one of CMT's "40 greatest Women" in country music of all time.

What the devil did she ever do to be placed into the same category as Patsy, L. Lynn, Connie Smith, etc?

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 19 Jul 2003 12:11 pm

Great voice, but hey, what do I know - however, the words of Owen Bradley from the liner notes of k.d.'s "Shadowland" album should suffice

"k.d. lang is a rare talent with a great voice and an imagination to go along with it. But more than talent, to me she was medicine...invigorating therapy after an illness of mine. After working with k.d. for a while, I didn't need to take my pills.

Mary Martin, who works for RCA, and who knew k.d. from Canada, brought the young singer and myself together. A video given to me shortly after leaving the hospital convinced me the young lady had talent; but I never dreamed there were so many dimensions involved. k.d. has the ability to take all kinds of music and make it her own...and no matter what the influence, she always sounds like k.d. lang.

'Shadowland,' the title cut of this album, is probably where she spends a lot of time, as we all do, and in 'Shadowland' there is an aura about k.d. Lang which lures the listener in. In this project, there is something for everyone. One of the fun cuts, certainly, is the "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley' with my own special angels, Kitty Wells, Brenda Lee, and Loretta Lynn, all legends themselves, lending their incredible talents to k.d. and hoping some of their 'Decca luck' rubs off. The only thing which would have made this any better would have been my missing angel, Patsy Cline.

Producing this album was not work but a constant amazement. As a singer, k.d. is anything she wants to be. And in 'Shadowland' we selected songs which run the gamut of good music.

Liner notes are not my thing but for you, young lady, I'd do just about anything. But it's going to cost you. Remember, your boots are mine when you get through with them. However, please remove the duct tape and the socks.

Well, k.d., I love you for digging me out of the woodwork and getting me involved in music again just for the music. It's what my whole life has been about. You've made me realize that again."

--Owen Bradley

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 19 Jul 2003 12:13 pm

That girl can SING.

She came busting out of the gates sounding very country, classic country, but subsequent albums pulled her further away from the genre. Greg Leisz added some fantastic steel on her first album, and probably on albums to follow, but I only have the first.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 19 Jul 2003 5:49 pm

K.D. Lang ABSOLUTELY belongs on that list. May be the best voice in music today period. She still has touches of country in her sound, although she's now more blues and torch than anything else. She does a version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" that will peel the skin right off your hide. I'm with Greg-that list is only complete if she's on it. And she's better than most who are.

JB

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Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 19 Jul 2003 8:04 pm

We will have to agree to disagree on this one.

There are sooooo many long-time, great women country artists that have influenced country music in major ways and they should have been considered before Ms Lang in my opinion.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Jul 2003 2:28 am

it's just a list...

sorta like the list of best Male Country singers without Ray Price...

It's meaningless...

At least KD can sing though..I would certainly agree with that..

happy sunday
tp

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Jul 2003 5:53 am

She started out ok, but what made her turn into such a fruitcake? Weird!

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 20 Jul 2003 7:35 am

I think we need to divorce someone's personal life from their professional life and talents. If you have to be an angel or "normal" to be considered among the greats we nee to remove about 75% of the names from ALL the lists. I mean, knowing what I do now, I certainly wouldn't want my niece to be out running with Hank Williams-but that wouldn't stop me from buying his records or tickets to his shows.

The only thing weird about KD is her sexual preference-if that can even be considered weird anymore. Frankly, that bothers me a lot less than the obvious drug and Alcohol problems that plague many of the big names and send a hideous message to their younger fans-as well as hinder their performance onstage where you're paying big bucks to hear them at what's supposed to be their best.

Trust me, Lang's weirdnesses ain't affecting her ability to rip the roof off the joint on any given night.

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 Jul 2003 11:12 am

Well, as a singer, she has few peers. Sure, she acts weird sometimes, but then again almost all famous entertainers act weird. She has talent and soul to the nth degree. Once you become rich and adored by thousands of people, I guess it's kinda hard to remain indescript, isn't it?

Personally, though, I don't think she's any more "significant" as a country singer than Anita Bryant, or Patti Page. To me, great singers who occasionally do something that has a country flavor just don't qualify as "country singers".

Does that make me weird?

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 20 Jul 2003 4:35 pm

Does that make me weird?

It's the high heels with the bell bottoms that doesn't look right...

KD sang a couple songs at Gregg Arreguin's memorial back in February, accompanied by Greg Leisz on acoustic. It was a powerful moment, the room was filled with a surge of emotion and you could have surfed down my cheeks. If you had been there, you would never question her sincerity. I understand the importance of linneage and pedigree and I don't always think it should be the sole criteria.

Emmy Lou Harris does some odd ones now and then.

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 20 Jul 2003 6:35 pm

I really don't give a diddle damn about her sexual preference JB, but I cannot equate a good voice with greatness when someone such as her has been around for such a short period of time. Any "great" has to stand the test of time--otherwise they are just another singer sometimes called a 90 day wonder.

You have to remember that K. D. only passed briefly thru Nashville and then moved into other song areas. That is NOT dedication. "Greatness" requires dedication.[This message was edited by Leroy Riggs on 20 July 2003 at 07:38 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 20 Jul 2003 6:47 pm

I cannot equate a good voice with greatness when someone such as her has been around for such a short period of time.

Lang's career has lasted much longer than Cline's.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 20 Jul 2003 6:47 pm

Well, Cline didn't stick to country either-at least not the traditional kind-Crazy is anything but but standard country fare. Granted she hung around Nashville, but back then Nashville meant something. I still say Lang is a great torch singer,has been around for nearly 20 years, still does torch and twang live, and should be on that list. I don't buy the idea that just because someone is a legend that someone better won't someday come along. Happens all the time, to my mind-and has happened in this case.

Like you said, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 20 Jul 2003 6:50 pm

Aye, and a good point there Earnest, as well. Lang's career has been going full steam for a lot longer than most folks think..

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 20 Jul 2003 8:19 pm

Lang's career has lasted much longer than Cline's.

But to no fault of Patsy's. If we hear K. D.'s songs 40 years fron now as often as we hear Patsy's today, I will have to call her great. Check back with me in 40 years.

Like you said, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Consider it done.

(Edited for stupid spelling.)[This message was edited by Leroy Riggs on 20 July 2003 at 09:20 PM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 20 Jul 2003 8:46 pm

First of all, Ms. Lang has a set of pipes to die for. And yeah, she's a little strange. But I saw her for the first time on the old Ralph Emery show, and she brought the house down!
And I can't help but wonder, did Nashville turn its back on HER when she came out of the closet?
And remember, Tony Bennett was recording Hank Williams songs YEARS before he did a duet with kd lang.
One of the best voices in country? You decide.
One of the best voices IN the country? You'd better believe it!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Jul 2003 3:41 am

I think kd lang is an amazing talent. No question. I guess the question really hinges on what is meant when one says she is one of the "greatest" country singers... I think some of us above are talking about "greatness" in terms of artistic quality, in which case there is little doubt. But others, it seems, are referring more to "making her mark" or "influencing others" in country music. (Of course kicking Owen Bradley in the butt and recharging his battery ought to count for something; but after she did that, did he continue, or recede back into retirement?) As much as I love kd's music, I'm not sure I'd say that she has left an indelible mark on country music, say, the way Kitty Wells or Loretta Lynn has. For instance, I don't think she has spawned a bunch of kd wannabees in country music, or a subgenre. I think she's great, but I tend to think of her as a one-off exception. But, again, I think it all depends on what one means by "great".

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 21 Jul 2003 6:49 am

Jim, you hit the head square on -- couldn't have been said better.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 21 Jul 2003 8:50 am

For instance, I don't think she has spawned a bunch of kd wannabees in country music, or a subgenre.

Well, it's not like she has a talent that can be easily imitated. Her vocal ability borders on the impossible, in my opinion. I've never worked with a singer that had anything close to that degree of control. Does she ever take a breath?

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Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Jul 2003 11:24 am

I agree with Jim C. and b0b equally. And kd is a great talent.

I saw her in 1988 at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, and I was one of about 7 males in the standing-room-only audience.

She had Greg Leisz in the band, and she was transitioning from her "I'm channeling Patsy" phase into her torch phase. She nailed the absolute best version of Willie Nelson's "Three Days" I've ever heard, then said that it would never get played on radio because she's a lesbian vegetarian. She did a show that, in the small venue it was held, was nothing short of climactic. One of the few concerts in the last 30 years I've ever paid to attend, incidentally.

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Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 21 Jul 2003 2:01 pm

Greg Leisz's steel break on the tune "Trail of broken Hearts" from an early KD album helped spawn this steel player.

Bob

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 22 Jul 2003 9:55 am

I'm not sure what the criteria for CMT's list was. Here are a few links from their web site:
http://www.cmt.com/cmt/event/40greatestwomen.jhtml
http://www.cmt.com/cmt/event/40greatestwomen.list.jhtml

It's worth noting that k.d. lang did win two Grammies as a country artist: 1988 for Best Country Vocal Collaboration and 1989 for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

The list also includes Linda Rondstadt who, to my knowledge, never made a country record in her life!

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 22 Jul 2003 11:39 am

Yeah b0b, even though I enjoyed much of her music, I agree with you about Rondstadt. [This message was edited by Leroy Riggs on 22 July 2003 at 12:41 PM.]

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 22 Jul 2003 11:44 am

Bee-yootiful steel work by Dan Dugmore on Linda's version of "Blue Bayou"

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 22 Jul 2003 12:55 pm

... and let's not forget "Silver Threads and Golden Needles". Awesome steel ride!