Trisha has truly transcended the "country" genre, but she has always proven herself versatile: (did you ever hear her "I Have a Love" from the "West Side Story" compilation a few years back?--it's chilling!!!). I feel the production, instrumentation and background vocals are impeccable and provide the CD with a smooth flow, and excitement.

It's hard to pick favorites on a collection like this, but surely "Harmless Heart," "Melancholy Blue," and "When We Were Still in Love" are some of the most heartfelt ballads of her career. And what's this unnecessary comparison of "I Would've Loved You Anyway" with Celine Dion songs? What's wrong with power ballads, especially when executed with such style and class? Don't compare Celine and Trisha---they're equally good, worlds apart, but I'd prefer these kind of love songs to the tripe we have to put up with in the pop world!!! Back to the real issue though.

"Love Alone," "For A While" "Love Let Go" and "Love Me or Leave Me Alone"---awesome performances, and so different from what you've expected from Trisha. They're not country, but let's face it, at heart Trisha Yearwood is a singer, not a country singer, not a pop singer, just one of the industry's most outstanding vocalists.

She started out getting compared to Linda Ronstadt, and although there are some vocal similarities, Trisha manages to stand on her own, and come out shining!

If you love Trisha, this is definitely a CD you must own! If you think you don't like her (and who could possibly not?), give this one a try---it's great!

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:


Good CD...not the best though  Mar 07, 2002 By K. Roth
I am a huge fan of her music. I have every CD she has ever released since she started back in the late '80's. This CD, in my opinion, is "ok". "I Would've Loved You Anyway" is traditional Trisha Yearwood...wide range of tones, love song with a yearning harmony. "Inside Out" is with Don Henly and an upbeat song. "I Don't Paint Myself into Corners Anymore" is my personal favorite that is a slower song of love lost and the regain of one's own self. Other than these particular songs, I don't wish to put the CD in the player. I cannot help but still wait for her to release solid country that she is capable of like on her very first album. She is heading toward adult contemporary/pop...which is ok...but unfortunately, that leaves country music behind. If you are more of a country/contemporary fan than you will surely like this album. There is no steel guitar, banjo, fiddle or country feeling to any of the songs on the album.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Sad and Beautiful!  Jan 28, 2004 By Carlos Weigle
Tired of the Faiths and the Shanias? Welcome to Trisha's world! She is, hands down, the best country singer around these days. Not as promoted as others, but so much better...her voice is deep and sad and so beautiful! She puts so much emotion into everything - without ever sounding over the top - that she should be revered not only by country music lovers but by music lovers everywhere. If you're thinking of buying your first Trisha CD, go for the Songbook, a very good compilation. Otherwise, try Inside Out, a great blend of romantic (my favorite ones) and more upbeat songs, that will leave you dreaming. She takes her time in preparing a new release, but the next one is supposed to be great, since her longtime friend, country music legend Garth Brooks, is writing the songs with her. I can't wait!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Pretty Impressive  Jan 16, 2003
After buying "Real Live Woman" on a whim after the 2000 Grammys, I became a total Trisha Yearwood fan, completely immersed in her incredible talent and great songs. So when "Inside Out" was released, I went and purchased it right away to see what Trisha came up with to follow such an amazing album. She didn't disappoint me.

This album, for me, is not up to par with "Real Live Woman," but I think that's an unfair standard for any artist. "Inside Out" is a pretty impressive effort by its own right, and Trisha provides some pretty thrilling vocal moments. "Love Alone" and "I Don't Paint Myself Into Corners" prove Trisha can belt with the best of the industry. "Corners" is one of my favorite Yearwood tracks, ranking up there with "Down on My Knees," "You Can Sleep While I Drive," and "Hearts in Armor." It's so powerfully written and so beautifully performed. "Melancholy Blue" was another favorite and vintage Trisha. She really knows how to tug at someone's heartstrings!

The title cut was surprisingly energetic and while I expected Don Henley to take a more active role in the vocals, I still think this pairing is pretty dynamite. "Love Let Go" grew on me after many spins and "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone" is incredibly catchy. "For Awhile" had such a wonderful sense of humor; she really shines when she's allowed to get intimate with her listeners.

"Inside Out" is far and away superior to Faith Hill's recent effort "Cry" and Shania Twain's "Up!" especially the latter. It won't enjoy the same commercial success, but I, for one, am glad Trisha doesn't care either.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Trisha at the top of her game!!  Jul 23, 2002 By Randy
I have purchased every single Trisha Yearwood CD since her self-titled debut in 1991, and I can honestly say, this is truly her best effort to date (closely followed by 1995's THINKIN' ABOUT YOU)! From the powerfully uplifting "Love Alone" to the mournful "When We Were Still In Love", Trisha does not miss a single beat throughout the entire CD!

Contrary to previous reviews, I believe Trisha's rendition of "Seven Year Ache" is a major improvement and worthwhile update of the original, considering Trisha's vocal ability far surpasses that of Rosanne Cash by miles!

"I Don't Paint Myself Into Corners" is a clear indication of the power in Trisha's pure, crystal-like voice - I get goosebumps on the final line where she holds the extended note in the word "myself". She puts so-called "divas" Shania, Faith and Celine to total shame!!

"Harmless Heart" and "Melancholy Blue" are the two greatest ballads she has recorded since "How Do I Live" and "Where Your Road Leads". Both cuts should be future singles and are totally Grammy-worthy next year!

"Inside Out" is clearly a feel-good, fun song to kind of break up the tear-jerking ballads on either side of it on the CD, and does a magnificent job of doing so! It should have been a bigger chart hit than it was, but, hey, it's a great addition to her catalog! The cut is not very "country" in production, but big deal - it's Trisha!!! Her voice transcends all musical barriers! (Faith, Shania and Jo Dee don't even come close!!)

Finally, to disagree with a previous review on the opening cut "Love Alone", another stand-out track on this compilation by the way, Ms. Yearwood pulls it off effortlessly! Perfect voice control, strength and power!

I feel some of these "reviewers" are stuck in the twangy, cry-in-your-beer country of 25-30 years ago - come on people, it's 2002! Trisha's lyrics, orchestrations and vocal prowess are intelligent, mature and flawless! Country, pop, AC - who cares?! It's music you can listen to once and find yourself pressing the "Repeat All" button on your CD player!!! If you want female country twang, buy a Terri Clark or Dixie Chicks CD!! For total class, it's Trisha and, closely second, Martina McBride!

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