Love's Funny That Way

Glancing at the CD case and liner notes, there are no less than 19 photographs of Kathie Baillie on Love's Funny That Way, including one borrowed from the video for "One Thing." There are so many photos that one has to snake his or her way around them to read the album's credits. The largest photo shows Baillie leaning on her acoustic guitar and gazing directly at the camera, giving the impression of an attractive, sincere person who dresses nicely (a bright red shirt to match her auburn hair). In a sense, the professional layout prepares the one for the professional, contemporary country sound of Love's Funny That Way. Baillie's resonant vocals bring a sure footing to the ten well-chosen songs, while the country-flavored arrangements, from the gentle "Each Day I Live" to the harder rocking title cut, provide a solid underpinning. Vince Gill makes a guest vocal appearance on "Never Knew Lonely," a song he penned, and Jim Photoglo adds his vocals to "Gone Away." Adding Gill to any song may seem like a smart career move, but their voices work exceptionally well together, ratcheting up the emotional quality of the song's chorus. Love's Funny That Way is a professional, well-made country album, and will work as a fine introduction to Kathie Baillie. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi