REVIEW: Tracey Whitney - Love... A Fable In 9 Acts

Tracey Whitney – Love… A Fable In 9 Acts
2007 BabyDoll Entertainment

Tracey Whitney bears the burden of high expectations. Being chosen as one of Ray Charles' Raylettes can either be the stepping stone to a great career, or a nadir that an artist never again quite reaches. In Love… A Fable in 9 Acts, Ms. Whitney has made a solid R&B album. Honestly I was expecting to hear Tracey Whitney bust it loose on this album ala Aretha Franklin (one of her idols). This never quite happens on "Love". Tracey Whitney has a gorgeous voice, and offers faithful and safe renditions of the material here, but never takes the sort of chances that turn a solid album into a great one.

The vocals, harmonies and arrangements on "Love" are all pleasant, enjoyable, and safe. "Ordinary Day" was the standout track for this reviewer, as the acoustic setting seemed to bring out more of the artist's personality. The cover of "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" is also a definite keeper. The rest here is pleasant, but nothing really stands out for me.

Tracey Whitney is worth paying attention to. She's paid her dues as a member of The Whitney Family and as a Raylette; and the voice and talent are very real. A live performance of this material where the voice takes precedence over production would likely be a more accurate reflection of the artist, but all in all a respectable recording.

Rating: Borrow it from a friend.

You can learn more about Tracey Whitney at www.myspace.com/TraceyWhitney or www.BabyDollEntertainment.com.