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Billie Jo Spears C'est La Vie Review by Gary Hill This is a new release of an album that was recorded in 1982. You really don't have to know that when you listen to it because the sound makes it clear that this is a product of a previous decade. That's not an insult, but rather a statement. This sounds like a time-capsule of country music of the time period. I will say that it leans a bit too far toward the mellower end of the spectrum from my point of view, but there is definitely some solid music here. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie Rock and roll and country music seem to merge on this energized and catchy little number. It's fun stuff.

Apart At The Dreams A balladic cut, this is very stirring. It feels like a product of its time in terms of the recording and arrangement. It still holds up well, though. The expressive guitar solo is a nice touch.

I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me Landing somewhere between the balladic and rocking sides of the coin, this is another slice of history. It just works that the historic element is presented in such a catchy and effective package.

Why Don't We Go Dancing To me this feels a bit like a country take on ABBA. It's a solid tune, but feels very dated.

Reaching Out For Someone This cut doesn't work as well for me as some of the others have. It's very much a country tune with a classic country ballad sound.

When I Dream A lushly arranged ballad, this is pretty. I tend to think that the arrangement is a bit over the top, but it is a product of its time.

Lonely Days Another balladic tune, this is definitely country music. It's a bit more timeless than some of the rest of the music here is.

Fool I like the slide guitar on this a lot. This is down-home old-school country music.

That Wrong Road A bit more of a rocker, this is classic country tune with some great guitar bits. This is one of my favorite cuts here.

Things Another energetic country based tune, this seems to stretch more toward the pop music of the time.

Everytime Two Fools Collide Another balladic piece, this is very much set in a down-home country approach. It's arguably the slowest and most sedate song here, at least at first. It grows out to a more powerful arrangement. This becomes a duet, but I'm not sure who the male singer is as it's not credited here.

Dreaming This is another cool country cut that works well. It's not a big surprise, but an effective tune.

Not Good At Goodbyes A balladic tune, this is just the kind of thing you'd expect. I suppose, given the title and the theme, it's kind of an appropriate song to end the set.

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