Personnel includes: Reba McEntire (vocals); Vince Gill (vocals); James Lowry (acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar); Dan Dugmore (electric & steel guitar, lap steel guitar, background vocals); J.T. Corenflos, John Jorgenson (electric guitar); Larry Franklin, Dave Talbot (banjo); Alison Krauss (fiddle, background vocals); Randy McCormick (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Gary Prim (keyboards); John Hobbs (synthesizer); Larry Paxton (bass); Paul Leim (drums, percussion); Linda Davis, Chip Davis, Marabeth Jordan, Lisa Cochran, Bergen White, Louis Nunley, Sonny Isaacs (background vocals); Nashville String Machine.
Producers: Reba McEntire, Buddy Cannon, Norro Wilson.
ROOM TO BREATHE not only represents Reba McEntire's first album in four years, but also acknowledges what her time away from making music has done for her creativity in-between appearing on Broadway and performing as the star of her own sitcom on the WB network. Despite this flood of success, McEntire's stayed true to her country fans by singing songs that touch on the day-to-day struggles of the common person.
Among the topics addressed are the horrors of Alzheimer's disease (a touching "Moving Oleta") and the finality of a busted-up relationship (the Vince Gill duet "It Just Has to Be This Way.") With guest background singers Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski aboard, Reba also looks at the loneliness occupying the void of a broken relationship on "Once You've Learned to Be Lonely." Thankfully, this Okie native balances the gloomier aspects of this outing with downright uplifting fare that includes the gospel shouter "Love Revival," the equally inspiring "Sky Full of Angels," and sibling lovefest "My Sister," featuring harmonies by Linda Davis. With ROOM TO BREATHE, Reba McEntire has simultaneously hit her music-making stride while managing to recharge her creative battery.
