KATHY MATTEA

Coal

2008-04-22

Country singer Mattea compiles some of the finest coal mining songs on this CD, bringing the joys and (mostly) sorrows of life in and around the mines to life (with plenty of them about death). The Sago, West Virginia mining disaster of 2006 compelled her to find the right set of songs to convey mining life and the best of them -- such as "The L&N Don't Stop Here No More" (#1), Coal Tattoo (#6) and "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" (#8) -- both educate and entertain. The closer, "Black Lung," is a harrowing a capella number, combined with an instrumental, "Coal." This set may not burn up the spins chart, but is a valuable contribution to the YCE library. 4/08 MJVD F-Traditional

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 11/2017

    The Blind Owl Band
    Skeezy Patty

  • reviewed 03/2009

    DONNA ULISSE
    Walk This Mountain Down

  • reviewed 06/2007

    KIM RICHEY
    Chinese Boxes

  • reviewed 05/2008

    Big Leg Emma
    Gramma Don't Like That

  • reviewed 08/2017

    Hope Country
    Hope Country

  • reviewed 04/2009

    NEIL YOUNG
    FORK IN THE ROAD

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.