Real Fine Place [by Sara Evans, CD, 2005]

Sara Evans began basic and earthy on her 1997 debut, <i>Three Chords and the Truth</i>-- only to U-turn into poppish, radio-friendly, late-'90s fare that expanded her popularity. Then, in 2003, she... more

Sara Evans began basic and earthy on her 1997 debut, <i>Three Chords and the Truth</i>-- only to U-turn into poppish, radio-friendly, late-'90s fare that expanded her popularity. Then, in 2003, she swerved back to raw traditionalism on <i>Restless</i>, which showcased her edgy, in-your-face hit "Suds in the Bucket." Evans stays that course on <i>Real Fine Place</i>, with straightahead, earthy production values and first-rate material, including Sheryl Crow's "Roll Me Back in Time" and the title tune, cowritten by Radney Foster and George Ducas. She conjures the perfect mixture of pain and indignation on "Cheatin'," and projects warmth on the parenthood tale "You'll Always Be My Baby." Her stately rendition of Lori McKenna's "Bible Song" magnifies its dark slice-of-life lyrics. Evans cowrote six of the numbers, including the party anthem "Momma's Night Out" and "These Four Walls," an affirmation of domestic pride written with her brother Matt. Granted, her earthy and frothy sides each have their partisans. Even so, high standards remain a constant on all her albums. This one's no exception. <i>--Rich Kienzle</i> less