NEWSFLASH!!! Pauline was named ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR at the 2010 Texas Music Awards...making TMA history as the first female to take home Entertainer of the Year honors! Congratulations, Pauline!! Pauline Reese “TOO TEXAS” ©2006 Paradora Records Review by Lucky Boyd Don’t let the subtitle fool you, “Live at Cherry Ridge” is a testament to how the album was recorded, but it was not recorded in front of a live audience. While the liner notes do not reveal the facts, they hint that this album was free of the countless overdubs that most bands use to give you their faux live show. My guess is that there are a lot of ‘one-takes’ on the album. As you listen, you’ll hear perfect performances from one of the best bands in Texas music behind one of the best vocalists in the state. Reese’s band, High Country, is a crew of country-loving rock musicians who know how to turn the heat up on a honky-tonk song. The guitar work on “Whiskey River” is worth the price of the album. Reese is as she always is, steadfast and masterful, with a voice that’s becoming more and more recognizable, which is the true test of stardom. The harmony vocal work on the album is great and Reese has chosen a great line up of tunes. Included on the album are: the TMA award nominated “Cowboy Way,” a Christopher Cross cover, and a stunning rendition of Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty.” Remember Reese at award nomination time. A TMA nomination for Female Vocalist would be no surprise. Previous notes: From the opening title cut, co-penned with fellow MTM member Marcus David Kennedy, Jr., to the trailing phone message from Freddy Powers, “TRAIL TO MONTERREY” (Paradora) is a Texas country music masterpiece. Pauline Reese’s sophomore album is a true treasure. Reese’s voice is powerful and majestic as she glides flawlessly through a stellar line up of tunes. Reese covers the Nelson/Buskirk classic “Night Life” as if it were her own and makes a true classic of “A Little Bit Different” (Kim Gannon/Kent Walter), inviting the listener to get up and start waltzing. Clay Blaker produces this twelve-cut gem and displays a bit of genius in the way he captures Pauline Reese’s smooth Texas voice. At times, Reese’s voice approaches the honey-dripping sweetness of a Loretta Lynn (without the twang), but through most of the album she’s busy defining her own style. Pauline is in touch with her voice as an instrument, putting forth tones as true as Texas, and belting out notes so clear and straight you could hang the wash on them. This disc is a three-layer confection of true country music with an icing of real Texas swing. Not a lot of Nashville here, just country music the way it was intended.