Lonesome Standard Time

Last updated
Lonesome Standard Time
Kathylonesome.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1992 (1992-09-22)
StudioCreative Recording Inc.
Genre
Length32:44
Label
Producer Brent Maher
Kathy Mattea chronology
Time Passes By
(1991)
Lonesome Standard Time
(1992)
Good News
(1993)
Singles from Lonesome Standard Time
  1. "Lonesome Standard Time"
    Released: September 1992
  2. "Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)"
    Released: January 1993
  3. "Seeds"
    Released: April 1993
  4. "Listen to the Radio"
    Released: August 1993

Lonesome Standard Time is the seventh studio album by American country artist Kathy Mattea. It was released on September 22, 1992, via PolyGram and Mercury Records. It was recorded during a period when she was experiencing vocal challenges. The project featured songs about heartbreak and loss written by various Nashville writers. It received a mixed critical response, but certified gold in the United States. The album spawned four singles. Both the title track and "Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)" reached the American country chart top 20 in 1993.

Contents

Background

Kathy Mattea reached her commercial and career peak by 1992. She had four singles that topped the American country chart won several accolades from the Country Music Association and the Grammy Awards. She was also headlining her own tours. [2] [3] In June 1992, Mattea experienced a busted blood vessel on her vocal chords, which caused her to have surgery. She ended up cancelling several engagements but made a full recovery. [4] All the while, she was making her next studio album titled Lonesome Standard Time. "I feel like I was singing at the peak of anything I've ever done . . . . About halfway through the vocals, this happened," she told The Washington Post . Despite the vocal setback, Mattea finished the project. [3]

Recording and content

Lonesome Standard Time was made at Creative Recording Incorporated, a studio located in Nashville, Tennessee. The album was produced by Brent Maher, who was known for his previous work with The Judds. [3] [5] The album's material was described as introspective while having a production that mixed country with Appalachian and bluegrass styles. [3] [1] [6] Mattea herself described the album as being about "love-lost and inner-soul-searching". She compared its sound to that of her previous album projects. [3] The album included material composed by various musical artists. The sixth track, "Listen to the Radio", was penned by Nanci Griffith. "Amarillo" was co-written by Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris. Another track, "Slow Boat", was co-written by Mattea's husband (and songwriter) Jon Vezner. [3] [5] The album's third track, "Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)", was also recorded by Don Williams around the same time. The eighth track, "33, 45, 78", was composed by Washington D.C. native, Steve Key. [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg
Entertainment Weekly B

Lonesome Standard Time received mixed reviews from critics and journalists. Jack Hurst of The Chicago Tribune praised the album, commenting that it "offers the kind of arresting music the imaginative title would seem to promise". [8] Meanwhile Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly rated the album a "B". Nash found it to be "too reverent and sluggish, and not even the driving bluegrass of the title tune is enough to transcend the album's ultrareflective mood". [6] Brian Mansfield of AllMusic rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars and commented, "Lonesome Standard Time isn't as ambitious as Time Passes By, but it's filled with lovely performances from Mattea's favorite sources: bluegrass ("Lonesome Standard Time"), gospel-influenced country ("Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)") and Nanci Griffith ("Listen to the Radio"). [1]

Release, chart performance and singles

Lonesome Standard Time was released on September 22, 1992, on the PolyGram and Mercury labels. It was originally distributed as a compact disc and as a cassette. [5] In the 2000s and 2010s, it was released digitally for download and streaming purposes. [9] The album first entered the American Billboard Top Country Albums chart on October 24, 1992. [10] It did not climb higher until a 39 percent sales increase in March 1993 brought the album to the number 41 position. [11] It also peaked at the number 182 position on the Billboard 200 chart on October 31, 1992, after seven weeks there. [12] In November 1994, the album certified gold from the Recording Industry Association of America after selling over 500,000 copies. It became her fourth album to receive a certification from the RIAA. [13]

The album spawned a total of four singles between 1992 and 1993. The title track was the first single released and was issued by PolyGram/Mercury in September 1992. [14] By December 1992, the single reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at the number 11 position. [15] On Canada's RPM Country chart, the single reached the number 14 position. [16] It was followed by the release of "Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)" in January 1993. [17] The single also reached the Billboard country top 20, peaking at number 19 in April 1993. [15] On the RPM country chart, it reached number 24 around the same period. [16] It was then followed by the release of "Seeds" in April 1993. [18] The song later peaked at number 50 on the Billboard country chart in June 1993. [15] The final single spawned from the album was "Listen to the Radio" in August 1993. [19] Later that month, the song peaked at number 64 on the Hot Country Songs. It was Mattea's lowest charting single up to that point. [15]

Track listing

CD and digital versions [5] [9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lonesome Standard Time"
2:50
2."Lonely at the Bottom"
3:14
3."Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)"
4:12
4."Forgive and Forget" Kieran Kane 2:52
5."Last Night I Dreamed of Loving You" Hugh Moffat 3:31
6."Listen to the Radio" Nanci Griffith 2:59
7."Slow Boat"
2:59
8."33, 45, 78 (Record Time)"Steve Key2:57
9."Amarillo"3:07
10."Seeds"3:47
Total length:32:44

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Lonesome Standard Time and AllMusic. [5] [20]

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Charts

Chart (1992–1993)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [21] 182
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [22] 41

Certifications

Certifications for Lonesome Standard Time
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [23] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for Lonesome Standard Time
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
AustraliaSeptember 22, 1992Compact disc
  • PolyGram
  • Mercury Records
[24]
North America
  • CD
  • cassette
[5]
2000s–2010s
  • Music download
  • streaming
Mercury Records [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Mattea</span> American musician, activist (born 1959)

Kathleen Alice Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass singer. Active since 1984 as a recording artist, she has charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including four that reached No. 1: "Goin' Gone", "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses", "Come from the Heart", and "Burnin' Old Memories", plus 12 more that charted within the top ten. She has released 14 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and one greatest hits album. Most of her material was recorded for Universal Music Group Nashville's Mercury Records Nashville 8division between 1984 and 2000, with later albums being issued on Narada Productions, her own Captain Potato label, and Sugar Hill Records. Among her albums, she has received five gold certifications and one platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She has collaborated with Dolly Parton, Michael McDonald, Tim O'Brien, and her husband, Jon Vezner. Mattea is also a two-time Grammy Award winner: in 1990 for "Where've You Been", and in 1993 for her Christmas album Good News. Her style is defined by traditional country, bluegrass, folk, and Celtic music influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Mattea discography</span>

The discography of American country music artist, Kathy Mattea, contains 17 studio albums, four compilation albums, five video albums, one extended play (EP), 51 singles, 27 music videos and has made 19 additional album appearances. Under PolyGram and Mercury Records, Mattea's first two albums were releases: her eponymous debut album (1984) and From My Heart (1985). In 1986, Walk the Way the Wind Blows reached number 13 on America's Billboard Top Country Albums chart and spawned four top ten Billboard Hot Country Songs singles: "Love at the Five and Dime", the title track, "You're the Power" and "Train of Memories". It was followed by Untasted Honey (1987), which was Mattea's first album to certify gold in the United States. Of its four singles, "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Goin' Gone" both topped the Billboard country chart. In 1989, PolyGram/Mercury released Willow in the Wind, which also certified gold and reached number six on the Billboard country albums chart. Its first single, "Come from the Heart", topped both the American and Canadian country charts. Its remaining three singles were also top ten North American country chart songs: "Burnin' Old Memories", "Where've You Been" and "She Came from Fort Worth".

<i>Untasted Honey</i> 1987 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Untasted Honey is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in 1987 on Mercury Records. The album produced Mattea's first Number One hit on the Billboard country charts in its lead-off single "Goin' Gone". Following this song was another Number One hit, "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses", then "Untold Stories" and "Life as We Knew It", both of which reached #4. "The Battle Hymn of Love" was later released as a single from Mattea's 1990 album A Collection of Hits. Like Walk the Way the Wind Blows before it, this album includes a cut originally found on Nanci Griffith's 1986 album The Last of the True Believers, this time in the track "Goin' Gone". Untasted Honey was certified gold by the RIAA.

<i>A Collection of Hits</i> 1990 greatest hits album by Kathy Mattea

Untold Stories: A Collection of Hits is the first compilation by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in 1990 on Mercury Records and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. The album includes eight of her previous singles, as well as one newly recorded track, and an album cut from 1987's Untasted Honey, the Tim O'Brien duet "The Battle Hymn of Love". Both of these songs were released as singles in 1990, and both reached #9 on the Billboard country charts.

<i>Time Passes By</i> 1991 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Time Passes By is the sixth studio album by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in 1991 on Mercury Records. The album, like her last two studio albums before it, was certified gold by the RIAA. Singles released from it include the title track at #7, "Whole Lotta Holes" at #18, and "Asking Us to Dance" at #27. "From a Distance" was originally recorded by Nanci Griffith and later versions were released by Bette Midler and Judy Collins.

<i>Good News</i> (Kathy Mattea album) 1993 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Good News is a studio album by American country artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on September 21, 1993, via Mercury Records and the PolyGram label. It was the eighth studio album of Mattea's career and her first collection of Christmas music. The project featured mostly new recordings that embedded gospel music sounds. Good News made the American country albums chart in 1993 and received an accolade from the Grammy Awards in 1994. Critics and writers remarked positively of the album and highlighted its uniqueness as compared to other Christmas album projects.

<i>Walking Away a Winner</i> 1994 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Walking Away a Winner is the ninth studio album by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on May 17, 1994, via the Mercury/PolyGram labels and contained ten tracks of original material. The album's production featured a pop rock sound that was considered unique from Mattea's previous country-folk albums. Its title track was issued as the lead single and became her first top ten hit in several years on the American country chart. Three more singles were also commercially-successful and the album sold more than 500,000 copies in the United States. Walking Away a Winner received mostly positive reception from critics. It also charted on the American country albums and Billboard 200 charts.

<i>Love Travels</i> 1997 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Love Travels is the tenth studio album by American country artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on February 4, 1997, via Mercury Records Nashville. The disc contained a total of 11 tracks that blended a mixture of different musical styles. Love Travels spawned four singles, two of which made the North American country songs charts: "455 Rocket" and the title track. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart and was reviewed positively by critics.

"Time Passes By" is a song written by Jon Vezner and Susan Longacre, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in March 1991 as the first single and title track from the album Time Passes By. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song features Trisha Yearwood on harmony vocals.

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"Lonesome Standard Time" is a song written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in September 1992 as the first single and title track from her album Lonesome Standard Time. The song reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in December 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)</span> 1993 single by Kathy Mattea

"Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)" is a song written by Bob McDill, Dickey Lee and Bucky Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in January 1993 as the second single from the album Lonesome Standard Time. The song reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Travels (song)</span> 1997 single by Kathy Mattea

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<i>The Innocent Years</i> 2000 studio album by Kathy Mattea

The Innocent Years is a studio album by American country artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on May 16, 2000, via Mercury Nashville and included 12 tracks of original material. It was the eleventh studio project of Mattea's career and her last with the Mercury Nashville label. The Innocent Years was a collection of songs that discussed Mattea's feelings associated with her father's failing health. Among its songs were the singles "The Trouble with Angels" and "BFD". The album received positive reviews from critics and made the American country albums chart.

"It's Your Reputation Talkin'" is a song written by Mitch Johnson and Harry Shannon, and recorded by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released in January 1985 as the lead single from her album From My Heart. The song became Mattea's third single to reach the top 40 of the American country chart.

"He Won't Give In" is a song written by Johnny Pierce, and recorded by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released in May 1985 as the second single from her album From My Heart. The songbecame Mattea's fourth single to reach the top 40 of the American country chart.

<i>Roses</i> (Kathy Mattea album) 2002 studio album by Kathy Mattea

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"Street Talk" is a song written by Lee Domann and Ralph Whiteway, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in September 1983 as debut single and the first from her self-titled debut album. The song reached the top 30 of the American country chart and appeared on her self-titled debut album.

"Someone Is Falling in Love" is a song written by Lee Domann and Pebe Sebert, and recorded by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released in January 1984 as the second single from her self-titled debut album. The song became Mattea's second single to reach the top 30 of the American country chart..

References

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  4. Hurst, Jack (December 25, 1992). "Kathy Mattea Worked Voice Back Into Shape". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
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  6. 1 2 Nash, Alanna (1992-10-30). "Lonesome Standard Time". EW.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
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  11. "'Women of Country' See Sales Gains". Billboard . May 22, 1993. p. 123. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  12. "Kathy Mattea chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard . Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  13. "Gold & Platinum: Kathy Mattea". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 3 December 2022.
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  15. 1 2 3 4 "Kathy Mattea chart history (Country Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Country Singles". RPM . Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  17. Mattea, Kathy (January 1993). ""Standing Knee Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst)"/"Listen to the Radio" (CD Single)". PolyGram/Mercury Records. 864 810-7.
  18. Mattea, Kathy (April 1993). ""Seeds"/"Lonely at the Bottom" (CD Single)". PolyGram/Mercury Records. 862 064-7.
  19. Mattea, Kathy (August 1993). ""Listen to the Radio"/"Slow Boat" (CD Single)". PolyGram/Mercury Records. 862 650-7.
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  22. "Kathy Mattea Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  23. "American album certifications – Kathy Mattea – Lonesome Standard Time". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  24. Mattea, Kathy (September 22, 1992). "Lonesome Standard Time (CD Information)". PolyGram/Mercury Records. 512 567-2 (Australia).