Born for You

Album Review

Released in the spring of 2000 to capitalize on Kathie Lee's then-impending departure from the TV show Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, Born for You is a concept album, at least according to Gifford's liner notes. She says in the preface to the album that she wanted to record a soundtrack album, except that it would be a soundtrack to a life, presumably her own. So, she and musical director Christopher Marlowe and producer David Friedman designed an album that was supposed to have the sweep of a life. To use a rock equivalent, it could have sounded like Rod Stewart's Gasoline Alley, Every Picture Tells a Story, and Never a Dull Moment. But, since Gifford's background is show tunes, this is melodramatic and overblown instead of wryly observed. Well, Kathie Lee and her fans wouldn't have it any other way. Nevertheless, it's still a little strange to hear Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison in this context, especially since it doesn't seem to add to the theme very much. Still, it has to be said that Born for You, despite its lack of subtlety, is a better-constructed record than most of her albums, thanks to a solid choice of material, relatively less-mannered vocals, and a focus that must have helped its creators, even if it isn't evident to the audience.