Okay. Here we go.

When you record a vocally flawless album.

When you produce said record on your own to have it the way you want it.

When your entire album was recorded track by track, not take by take (i.e. spliceless).

When you only use vintage instruments, including a 1939 microphone for recording.

When you record said album in a recording studio built and owned by you and your husband.

When you can belt one line then pull it back hardcore.

When you record an album solely on 1" tape, completely analog, until you tweak the balances before you digitalize and duplicate the album.

When you reach a point in your career that your label and your fans let you make an album of your favorites from 30 to 50 years ago.

When you reach that point and not care if it flops or not because of the musical experience.

When you're tied for the most awarded female vocalist in country music history (with Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn).

When Buck Owens proclaims you as one of the premier voices in country music ever.

When Marty Stuart refers to you as aesthetically amazing (in country terms, of course).

When people know that although you are a first rate vocalist, family and friends always come first, for real.

When you are asked to film two live concerts for PBS and CMT to showcase said album, and the live performances are equally as flawless.

Then I will proclaim you as my favorite female vocalist ever. Until then, which will be never, Martina McBride will always be #1 in my heart.

To my readers:

If you want to hear something other than over produced albums.

If you want to get back to simple music.

If you love country classics done with emotional, yet dead-on vocals.

If you want to get back to pure talent.

If you want to hear great vocals.

If you want to be amazed.

Purchase this album

"Timeless" is Martina's album of classic cover songs. Lately several artists have recently issued an album of cover songs, George Jones and Dolly Parton for instance. Oddly enough Dolly sings on the George Jones disc as well as this Martina album. As for this album, it is filled with songs that Martina grew up loving. The songs go back to the 1950's and the most recent one being from the mid 70's. The album has a very dated feel to it, that was intentional. The arrangements and the instrumentation on the songs are exactly as they were originally done. In fact even the recording process was done as the songs would have been originally done right down to being mastered on analog tape!!! The result is a great retro album. If you're a fan of today's pop-country you may be dissappointed with this disc. Martina doesn't belt out on this album quite like she does on her original material, she simply presents the songs as they were meant to be heard. On the other hand, if you're a fan of classic country you will love this album.

This CD brought back so many memories of my childhood. This is my mother's county music that I grew up listening to. I am so glad that Martina did not change a thing. The songs are just like the originals. Martina is an original and for anyone who has given this CD a bad review, you just don't get the old standard country musical ways. I love this CD!

I have to give this CD five stars and wish it could be ten. I grew up listening to these songs and Martina could not have done them any better than the originals. This is high praise indeed when you are singing Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Ray Price, Lynn Anderson, and I could go on. I bought this CD today and had to go out and buy it for my Mom and it is one of those CD's where you could stand on a corner and give to everyone just so they could enjoy it as much as I did. Once again Martina gives 110% and hopefully will reach a whole new set of fans for the old classics.

Martina McBride's new disc honors traditional country by covering country songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. She produced the album, and is respectful to the originals often leaving their arrangements the same or making tasteful new ones that compliment the songs. Highlights include "I Still Miss Someone" (with Dolly Parton), "Today I Started Loving You Again", "I Can't Stop Loving You", "Satin Sheets", and more. She shows a lot of vocal restraint on this album, which shows just how powerful a vocalist she can be.