Let Me In (album)
Encyclopedia
Let Me In mainly received positive reviews from critics. Country Standard Time
s Brian Walhert said that the album's first five songs were "masterfully crafted", calling the third track "Shut Up and Drive
" to combine both "sympathy" and "quiet urgency". Walhert also praised the fourth track "Emma Jean's Guitar" for its storyline and plot. Walhert then commented that the album seemed to of gone "downhill" after the fifth track saying, "But then the music starts to go downhill with "Just Another Heartache," sounding like filler for a Lorrie Morgan
album. Wright's vocals are always warm and sweet with a slight twang. Here's hoping she comes up with better songs next time out." Alanna Nash
of Entertainment Weekly
gave Let Me In a "B+" rating stating, "...on Let Me In, she turns her commanding alto to a fine program of contemporary country, including the title ballad and "Emma Jean's Guitar," a left-field song about a pawnshop instrument and the stories it holds. An unexpected jewel.
Thom Owens of Allmusic also reviewed Let Me In and gave the album four out of five stars, stating that because of the album's production, "the result is her most accomplished and arguably best album to date." CD Universe.com gave the album four out of five stars.
" as the lead single in July 1997. The single became Wright's first Top 40 single as well as her first major hit single, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, #112 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart, and also #21 on the Canadian RPM
Country Singles chart. The second single released was the album's sixth track "Just Another Heartache" in November 1997. The single eventually peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart and #51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. The third and final single spawned from Let Me In was the track "I Already Do" in March 1998. The song peaked at #36 on the Billboard country chart and #59 on the Canadian RPM country chart. Let Me In was officially released on September 9, 1997 on MCA Nashville Records via a compact disc
. The album became Wright's first release to chart on the Billboard album charts, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, #171 on the Billboard 200
, and #10 on the Top Heatseekers
chart. In addition, Let Me In also peaked at #23 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums/CDs chart in 1998.
Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time is a website dedicated to country music and related genres such as Bluegrass and Rockabilly. It provides news and musical reviews pertaining to the genre. It was established in 1992 by Jeffrey B. Remz as a print magazine, which was first published only in New England but went...
s Brian Walhert said that the album's first five songs were "masterfully crafted", calling the third track "Shut Up and Drive
Shut Up and Drive (Chely Wright song)
Shut Up and Drive is the title of a song written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate, and recorded by American country music singer Chely Wright. It was the first single from her 1997 album Let Me In, her first album for MCA Nashville...
" to combine both "sympathy" and "quiet urgency". Walhert also praised the fourth track "Emma Jean's Guitar" for its storyline and plot. Walhert then commented that the album seemed to of gone "downhill" after the fifth track saying, "But then the music starts to go downhill with "Just Another Heartache," sounding like filler for a Lorrie Morgan
Lorrie Morgan
In 1996 Morgan married Jon Randall, a singer/songwriter now credited with writing the 2004 Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss hit "Whiskey Lullaby"; they divorced three years later in 1999....
album. Wright's vocals are always warm and sweet with a slight twang. Here's hoping she comes up with better songs next time out." Alanna Nash
Alanna Nash
Alanna Nash is an American journalist and biographer.Nash holds a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is the author of several acclaimed books...
of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
gave Let Me In a "B+" rating stating, "...on Let Me In, she turns her commanding alto to a fine program of contemporary country, including the title ballad and "Emma Jean's Guitar," a left-field song about a pawnshop instrument and the stories it holds. An unexpected jewel.
Thom Owens of Allmusic also reviewed Let Me In and gave the album four out of five stars, stating that because of the album's production, "the result is her most accomplished and arguably best album to date." CD Universe.com gave the album four out of five stars.
Release and singles
Let Me In spawned its third track "Shut Up and DriveShut Up and Drive (Chely Wright song)
Shut Up and Drive is the title of a song written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate, and recorded by American country music singer Chely Wright. It was the first single from her 1997 album Let Me In, her first album for MCA Nashville...
" as the lead single in July 1997. The single became Wright's first Top 40 single as well as her first major hit single, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, #112 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart, and also #21 on the Canadian RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Singles chart. The second single released was the album's sixth track "Just Another Heartache" in November 1997. The single eventually peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart and #51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. The third and final single spawned from Let Me In was the track "I Already Do" in March 1998. The song peaked at #36 on the Billboard country chart and #59 on the Canadian RPM country chart. Let Me In was officially released on September 9, 1997 on MCA Nashville Records via a compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. The album became Wright's first release to chart on the Billboard album charts, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, #171 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, and #10 on the Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart. In addition, Let Me In also peaked at #23 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums/CDs chart in 1998.
Track listing
Personnel
- Bob Bailey – background vocals
- Eddie BayersEddie BayersEddie Bayers is an American session drummer who has played on 150 gold and platinum albums. He received the Academy of Country Music 'Drummer of the Year Award' for eight straight years, and has three times won the Nashville Music Awards 'Drummer of the Year'...
– drums - Matraca BergMatraca BergMatraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
– background vocals - Tony BrownTony Brown (record producer)Tony Brown is an American country music record producer.He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina.Brown played piano for Elvis Presley. He toured with the TCB Band for much of Presley's final two years and was a part of the 1976 "Jungle Room" recording sessions at Graceland...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Gary BurrGary BurrGary Burr, born in Meriden, Connecticut, is an American musician and songwriter and producer, mostly known for his stable of hits recorded by country music performers. Burr began his career as a member of the group Pure Prairie League from 1982 to 1985, taking over after Vince Gill departed the group...
– background vocals - Stuart DuncanStuart DuncanStuart Duncan is a bluegrass musician who plays the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo. Born in Quantico, Virginia and raised in Santa Paula, California, where he played in the school band, he has been a member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band since 1985, and is a much-in-demand session musician...
– fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Kim Fleming – background vocals
- Paul FranklinPaul Franklin (musician)Paul Franklin is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured with Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville,...
– pedabro, steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use... - Steve Gibson – acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Vince GillVince GillVincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
– background vocals - Vicki Hampton – background vocals
- John Jarvis – piano, electric pianoElectric pianoAn electric piano is an electric musical instrument.Electric pianos produce sounds mechanically and the sounds are turned into electrical signals by pickups. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument, but electro-mechanical. The earliest electric pianos were invented...
- KostasKostasKostas Lazarides is a Greek-born American country music songwriter, known professionally as Kostas. He has written for several country music artists, including Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and Travis Tritt, and has won eleven awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated...
– background vocals - Brent MasonBrent MasonBrent Mason is an American session guitarist and occasional songwriter. He is known primarily for his work in the field of country music. In addition to releasing two instrumental studio albums, he holds several credits as a songwriter...
– acoustic guitar, electric guitar - Steve Nathan – hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Michael Rhodes – bassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
- Tom Roady – percussionPercussion ensembleA percussion ensemble is a musical ensemble consisting of only percussion instruments. Although the term can be used to describe any such group, it commonly refers to groups of classically-trained percussionists performing primarily classical music. Percussion ensembles are most commonly found at...
- Matt RollingsMatt RollingsMatt Rollings is an American composer, musician and record producer. He plays piano, organ, and keyboards.Known mainly for playing in Lyle Lovett's Large Band, he has worked with many artists, not all country...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, piano, hammond organ - John Wesley RylesJohn Wesley RylesJohn Wesley Ryles is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1968 with the single "Kay", a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, and the title track to his debut album for Columbia Records.Ryles later recorded one album, Reconsider Me, for the Plantation label,...
– background vocals - Stewart Smith – electric guitar
- Harry Stinson – background vocals
- Robby Turner – dobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
, steel guitar - Billy Joe Walker – acoustic guitar
- Chely Wright – lead vocals
- Trisha YearwoodTrisha YearwoodPatricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...
– background vocals
Album
| Chart (1997-1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
171 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 25 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
10 |
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Country Albums/CD's |
23 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
CAN Country |
||
| 1997 | "Shut Up and Drive" | 14 | 112 | 21 |
| "Just Another Heartache" | 39 | — | 51 | |
| 1998 | "I Already Do" | 36 | — | 59 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
External links
- Let Me In at AmazonAmazon.comAmazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...