Carlene Carter

• Carlene Carter [Warner Bros., 1978] C+
• Musical Shapes [Warner Bros., 1980] B

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Carlene Carter [Warner Bros., 1978]
This woman has a strong voice, an assertive persona, and good taste in bands (the Rumour) and grandmothers (Maybelle C.). She's twice-divorced with two kids at twenty-two, so she Knows Life, and her songwriting definitely Shows Potential. But reach ain't grasp, strength ain't passion or style, and she could use a haircut. C+

Musical Shapes [Warner Bros., 1980]
Touted as the next Marshall Chapman since she surfaced in 1978, Mother Maybelle's most famous granddaughter and Nick Lowe's most famous wife comes up with enough nasty, compassionate songs to make believers out of Marshall's followers, all seven hundred of 'em. Dave Edmunds cameos as a chow-sucking trucker, Nick has the synth to light up "Ring of Fire," and Carlene has the balls for "They got the balls and I got the bat." But she can't muster the insouciance one would expect from the Mary Magdalene of Cool. B