Lari White Albums (6)
'My First Affair'
Release Date 4/6/2007
Tracks 12
Label Skinny Whitegirl
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Lari White's first American album of the new millennium (her last, Stepping Stone, was issued in 1998) was released in the United Kingdom in June of 2004 on the Mesmerizing label. Green Eyed Soul, produced by White, comes to us courtesy of her own Skinny White Girl label. Having established herself in the '90s as a pop-country artist, this set is going to be a change-up for some as the title offers a sleek peek toward what she's going for. White's aim is slick, chart-ready R&B, and nu-soul. It's also a given with White's voice, and that this disc was made in Nash Vegas, her roots sound cannot be covered entirely. But what's most startling is her use of loops and even breaks alongside her studio band. Her love of Southern soul and Motown is everywhere evident, but with the use of technology alongside horns and strings -- check "Right Here Right Now" -- the effect is startling. There are trip-hop beats, turntables, and samplers flitting through the mix and creating rhythms. The country-R&B of "Eden Before the Fall" is driven by slow, electric slide guitar, but ambient sounds and shimmering backdrop electronics color and texture the tune displacing its center. "Because I'm a Woman" is a tight little groover that's part slow-funk anthem, part country song, and part soul rave-up, with a killer refrain. The strutting B-sharp on "High," is pure silk and groove (think Al Green or Ron Isley) albeit it in a thoroughly modern context. White's voice shines throughout; her pitch, phrasing, and emotional involvement in her songs is not only credible but worth celebrating. Make no mistake, this is a very smooth, slick record; but its depth cannot be denied and as a pop record, one of the majors could have scored big with it. Highly recommended. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lari White has one of the finest voices in popular music. Her ability to bring the strength of her gospel background to anything she sings makes her talent a real treasure. Sadly, she has been misused and abused by the factory system in Music City and has not attained the success she should have. But quality can't be overlooked; like cream, it rises to the top. And while most of the material on this project is not worthy of her talent, she still makes a good showing all across the board. Perhaps the most stunning performance this time out is "You Can't Go Home Again," a traditional tune that allows White to show off the prowess in her vocal style. Just as good is the Deborah Allen-Chuck Jones tune "On a Night Like This," which showcases White's ability to rock. The thing about Lari White is that no matter the caliber of material, for better or worse, she makes you believe every word she sings. ~ Jana Pendragon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Wishes was Lari White's breakthrough release, and it's easy to hear why. Besides the infectious, small-town summer crush feel of lead single "That's My Baby," there's the spectacular chorus harmonies of "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)" (featuring Hal Ketchum), the gospel-tinged "When It Rains," and the brassy "Go On," which could almost be the fiery heart of a feisty insurgent country artist's next project for Bloodshot. Tracks like this showcase White's torchy vocal, which is a combination of Trisha Yearwood's brassiness with a bit of Patsy Cline. Then there's White's band, who give each track a ground-level feel that's often missing from top-line Nashville releases. Instead of relying on the comfortably bland, they grit up "Somebody's Fool" and "Now I Know" with honest hooks and touches of slide guitar. Wishes is a solid home run of an album with much more to offer than simply its singles. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
White's ambitious debut covered a lot of musical territory, from straight country ("Where the Lights Are Low") to torch ballad ("Just Thinking"), from Latin-flavored pop ("Made to Be Broken") to fervid gospel ("Good Good Love"). The breadth of her talent turned out to be something of a problem. Since nobody could get a handle on her, none of the album's three singles ("What a Woman Wants," "Lead Me Not," and "Lay Around and Love on You") broke the Top 40. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
