You Gotta Sin to Get Saved
You Gotta Sin to Get Saved is the second album by the American singer-songwriter Maria McKee, released in 1993.[1][2] The album includes two Van Morrison covers and a take on Goffin/King's "I Can't Make It Alone".[3] The first single was "I'm Gonna Soothe You", which peaked at No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart.[4][5]
| You Gotta Sin to Get Saved | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 22, 1993 | |||
| Genre | Country rock | |||
| Length | 40:46 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Producer | George Drakoulias | |||
| Maria McKee chronology | ||||
| ||||
McKee, while promoting her third album, stated that she was unsatisfied with You Gotta Sin to Get Saved.[6]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| Calgary Herald | C[8] |
Trouser Press wrote: "Like much of this amazing, unexpected album, McKee splits her convictions between the music and the words, sinning and saving herself in a fission explosion that blasts into the spirit of rock'n'roll."[9] The Guardian concluded that "languid backing by California session pros Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench et al, does nothing to spice up Maria's clear voice, or tumbleweed 'n' dust affairs."[10]
Track listing
- "I'm Gonna Soothe You" (Bruce Brody, Marvin Etzioni, McKee) – 3:36
- "My Lonely Sad Eyes" (Van Morrison) – 2:41
- "My Girlhood Among the Outlaws" (McKee) – 3:44
- "Only Once" (McKee) – 4:03
- "I Forgive You" (Sam Brown, McKee) – 5:06
- "I Can't Make It Alone" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 3:38
- "Precious Time" (Gary Louris, Mark Olson) – 3:35
- "The Way Young Lovers Do" (Van Morrison) – 3:29
- "Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Was Sweet)" (Brody, Etzioni, McKee) – 5:05
- "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" (Brody, Sam Dogg, Etzioni, McKee) – 5:49
Personnel
- Maria McKee – piano, rhythm guitar, vocals
- Jon Auer – background vocals
- Bruce Brody – organ, piano, Hammond organ, background vocals, handclapping, Wurlitzer
- David Campbell – conductor
- George Drakoulias – drums
- Marvin Etzioni – bass guitar, guitar, mandolin, background vocals, handclapping
- Don Heffington – percussion, drums, background vocals, handclapping
- The Jayhawks
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Dale Lavi – handclapping
- Gary Louris – electric guitar, background vocals, handclapping
- The Memphis Horns – horns
- Spyder Mittleman – saxophone
- Brendan O'Brien – bass
- Mark Olson – acoustic guitar, guitar, harmonica, background vocals, handclapping
- Nicol Sponberg – handclapping
- Ken Stringfellow – background vocals
- Benmont Tench – organ, piano, Hammond organ, background vocals, handclapping, Wurlitzer, vox organ
- Mike Utley – piano
- Don Was – bass
- Julia Waters – background vocals
- Maxine Waters – background vocals
- Edna Wright – background vocals
Production
- Producer: George Drakoulias
- Engineers: Brendan O'Brien, Thom Panunzio, Martin Schmelze
- Assistant engineers: Doug Boehm, Jim Champagne
- Mixing: David Bianco, Martin Schmelze
- Mastering: Stephen Marcussen
- Arranger: David Campbell
- Horn arrangements: The Memphis Horns
- Art direction: Janet Wolshom
- Director: Robin Sloane
- Photography: Marvin Etzioni
References
- "Maria McKee Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- "Life Is Bittersweet for Maria Mckee". MTV.
- Boehm, Mike (May 20, 1993). "No Holding Back". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 6.
- Buckley, Peter (December 17, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
- "MARIA MCKEE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- "The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition". Canongate Books. November 1, 2007 – via Google Books.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. You Gotta Sin to Get Saved at AllMusic
- McEwen, Mary-Lynn (July 11, 1993). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
- "Maria McKee". Trouser Press. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- Sullivan, Caroline (June 11, 1993). "Rock/pop". The Guardian Features Page. The Guardian.