Holly Dunn - Cornerstone

FORGOTTEN MASTERPIECE

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Mar 6, 2006

Pros: Singing, Songwriting, Instrumentation

Cons: Not a dang one!

Holly Dunn's recording career extended from her self-titled debut album [released in 1986] to her 10th album-- the gospel CD FULL CIRCLE-- released in 2003. That career is now over, according to Holly herself, who now lives over in New Mexico and... is a full time graphic artist completely retired from music. It's a shame to lose her as a music force, of course... but I also can't help but just feel blessed that she gave such great music to the world for so long a time. Dunn was the most underrated country artist of her time, I believe. I earestly predict that one day she will become the legend that she deserves to be, and that she already is to some of us. Her second album, 1987's CORNERSTONE, is, I believe, Holly's masterpiece. On that album, Holly really unloosed her particular gift for downhome poetic expression. Most of the songs were written or co-written by her, including the 2 #1 singles that resulted: "Love Someone Like Me" and "Only When I Love," Two of the best songs of the 1980s. All of the songs examined love, relationships and values in a very unique way, and the title song "Cornerstone" seemed to bring all the threads together in a beautiful way. One unusual choice was to cover Jim Croce's "Lover's Cross," sort of an "anti-love song" but it fits perfectly into the fabric of this great album. Other songs that deserved attention but never got it were "Little Frame House", "Why Wyoming" and the profound "Fewer Threads Than These" [with back-up vocals from Emmylou Harris!] CORNERSTONE is simply one of the finest albums ever compiled by a singer songwriter within the Nashville system... and that is saying a lot! I highly recommend it. [Be warned, however. These early CDs from Dunn are VERY difficult to find on-line. One merchant is currently selling a used copy of this CD at Amazon for $74.99!! You are actually much better of looking for one at a good used CD outlet. I bought one recently at a store in Tucson for 6 bucks... much better!] Read more Less