Kathie Lee Gifford Albums (10)
What The Critics Say
Everyone Has a Story collects nine performance of the ongoing Today Show segment of the same name, a feature where Kathie Lee Gifford and her collaborator David Friedman turn a viewer's submitted story into a full-fledged song. Here, Gifford only sings one of the tunes -- Norm Lewis, Carolee Carmello, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Ebersole, Aaron Lazar, Julia Murney, Chuck Cooper, and Rebecca Luker sing the rest -- but they're all easily identifiable as her work, as they're grandly orchestrated pomp-pop suited for Broadway. This may veer toward the sentimental and treacly, but there's little doubt that's the whole point of the affair, and it will satisfy Gifford's fans precisely because that's its nature. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With her first new recording in over three years, media superstar Kathie Lee returns to her gospel roots of yesteryear with this 13-track offering. Sonically, it's a mixed bag. It's very obvious that the main attraction of the record is her voice, which vibrates more than a rubber band on many of the songs. And while this is all very fine and good for those seeking just the main attraction, this is by no means justification to place her vocals so high atop the music and prominently in the mix. However, this minor flaw does not detract from the overall heartfelt message that Gifford emotes song after song. It's a testament to her versatility as a singer that she can feel comfortable in so many different styles of music, and can so freely and effortlessly express herself and exorcise all of the demons that haunted her public life. It's also a testament to the resiliency of her faith and her ability to let the world openly observe her healing process. And you can't get much higher praise than that. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This Kathie Lee Gifford album, Party Animals, is filled with cute songs for children that will make both them and their parents laugh and want to sing along, and maybe dance a little. The tunes are joyfully entertaining for small children -- as well as not-so-small children -- and yet the lyrics serve a purpose, using fun stories to educate young listeners on everything from a mother's love to learning to share. Gifford co-wrote the songs for Party Animals and another album, Goodnight Angel, with artist David Friedman. When it finally came time to start recording, Gifford brought in her own children, Cody and Cassidy, to help with some of the singing. This is a great album to buy just for the car, since it can make long rides with little ones go by much quicker, with laughter instead of complaints. A few of the fun tunes from this album are "Shake Your Rattle and Roll," "Ratty Paddy in Her Disco Suit," "Kids Gotta Move Their Swing Thing," and "Even Moms Have Problems Too." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Goodnight Angel was recorded in 2001 by well-known entertainer Kathie Lee Gifford. This album is a collection of beautiful and touching lullabies written by Gifford and David Friedman. Between the soft music, soothing words, and gentle voices, this is perfect music to help ease a child off to that magical land of sleep. With that in mind, the album was set up so the first songs slow things down and comfort, and the middle tracks are even slower, with lyrics that tell about dreams coming true. The closing tunes on Goodnight Angel are the softest, telling of the love that a parent feels for their child. The lyrics strum the heartstrings more than a little. These lullabies are the kind that can last through early childhood, from nights of rocking an infant to sleep in your arms to tucking that active toddler into a real bed to nights when he or she is tired out from a long day at kindergarten. Some of the lovely songs on this album are "My Child," "I Wish I Could Keep You This Way," "Angel Baby Mine," "Rockabye Lullaby," and "Hey Little Dreamboat." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
How credible is it that Kathie Lee has suddenly felt an urge to sing sexy pop and finds satisfaction in a Jennifer Lopez-inspired photo shoot? One minute she is co-hosting morning TV with Regis Philbin and releasing albums of mushy standards, and now the question is -- how does mommy explain to Cody and Cassidy why she is wearing nothing but a long shirt with her legs spread seductively on the CD insert? Kathie Lee seems torn between two images, the woman she is and the woman she wants listeners to believe she is; that is nothing new, but this album is a clear example. Heart of a Woman is as frustrating as Kathie Lee herself, and no matter how much you want to hate it you cannot because its good points are exceptionally good. Setting aside skepticism, Heart of a Woman picks up some moments of exhilarating momentum and Kathie Lee's voice is very often beautiful. The first single, "Love Never Fails," is heavily reminiscent of Celine Dion's "That's The Way It Is" but with such a glorious hook, you do not care where its inspiration came from -- you want to hear it again, and fast. "The Hardest Part" is only a step behind (its remix would make a much better choice for radio play) and these two songs are top-quality pop that will shock just about anyone who will not suspect Kathie Lee as the central voice. The let down of the album is that it does not follow through on the exceptional. If Kathie Lee wanted to perform a real makeover, someone should have spent as much time on the other tracks as the few that were intended as singles. If that had happened, Kathie Lee could have had an album every bit as good as top-selling artists -- better even. But the blazing stylish tracks have been supplemented with weaker ballads. Some are enjoyable, like "Always Been You" and "In This Life," which has also appeared on albums by Bette Midler and Ronan Keating. Some are not enjoyable -- the Shania Twain wannabe "Heartache, Heartache" is more like heartburn. The pluckiest song of the year award goes to Kathie Lee for "Make My Day," which is the epitome of Kathie Lee -- as smooth sailing as a ride on Carnival Cruises and as unstoppable as the icon herself. ~ Peter Fawthrop, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Released in the spring of 2000 to capitalize on Kathie Lee's then-impending departure from the TV show Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, Born for You is a concept album, at least according to Gifford's liner notes. She says in the preface to the album that she wanted to record a soundtrack album, except that it would be a soundtrack to a life, presumably her own. So, she and musical director Christopher Marlowe and producer David Friedman designed an album that was supposed to have the sweep of a life. To use a rock equivalent, it could have sounded like Rod Stewart's Gasoline Alley, Every Picture Tells a Story, and Never a Dull Moment. But, since Gifford's background is show tunes, this is melodramatic and overblown instead of wryly observed. Well, Kathie Lee and her fans wouldn't have it any other way. Nevertheless, it's still a little strange to hear Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison in this context, especially since it doesn't seem to add to the theme very much. Still, it has to be said that Born for You, despite its lack of subtlety, is a better-constructed record than most of her albums, thanks to a solid choice of material, relatively less-mannered vocals, and a focus that must have helped its creators, even if it isn't evident to the audience. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Rock N Tots Cafe: A Christmas "Giff" Song Album'
Release Date 10/13/1995
Tracks 14
Label Warner Kids
See Album Tracklist and Review
'It's Christmas Time'
Release Date 8/20/1993
Tracks 13
Label Warner Bros.
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Kathie Lee's 1993 Christmas album isn't a terrible album, but about what you'd expect from morning TV's obnoxiously sparkly former hostess, right down to the guest appearance of former co-host Regis Philbin on "Silver Bells" (a duet that reduces the song to about the level of Alvin & the Chipmunks). Kathie Lee perkily tweets through a set of standards that have pleasant, unassuming charts and clean, clear (if unbearably soft) production by Jim Ed Norman. ~ Steven McDonald, All Music Guide
