It's Only Love Rita Coolidge Festival Records

With a record such as this, like true poetry one should come to with an emptyness of spirit to truly experience its full impact. In this album, you won't find solace, but rather a lot of fellow feeling to reflect on.

Rita has come a long way from her days with Kris K. This album reveals her voice has developed to the maturity of a Roberta Flack, and a style as polished as that of the Carpenters. She can stand on her own and stand proud. This melancholy lady of the long dark tresses certainly hits you where it hurts.

The tracks range in style, from country and western through to slow jazz and blues, she grapples with classic Billie Holliday numbers with an ease revealing the quiet power and versitility of this lady. Yet there is a simple unity running throughout the album, like she says 'I've seen so many love affairs go bad... but don't let love pass you by'.

But the album doesn't drag, theres the odd racy track to wit. 'Keep the Candle Burning' with a honkey tonk piano to buoy one's sad spirits up.

Epilogue: No doubt about it, she certainly tugs at the heartstrings of this old hard bitten hog. I have no hesitation in recommending it to you gently reader. The album's definitely top notch. I only hope you get a chance to experience it.

Horatio Warthog