From the beginning of her career, country singer Tanya Tucker knew who she was. In the early 1970s, during her teenage sensation, she turned down the song “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” but instead performed the more downbeat heartbreak song “Delta Dawn.” insisted on recording. Her instincts were right. Not only artistically, but commercially as well.
Tucker, now 64, was almost 20 when she entered Los Angeles’ famed studio Sunset Sound in 2019 with singer-songwriter Brandi Carlisle (her co-producer is musician Shooter Jennings) behind the mixing board. I haven’t played music in years. This documentary, directed by Kathryn Horan, is a direct chronicle of that collaboration, and it worked better than anyone in attendance expected, earning Tucker his two Grammy Awards.
Carlyle clearly looks up to Tucker and comes to her with some songs he wants the singer to interpret. Tucker counters with an unfinished song of her own—the one that went on to win her a Grammy. Tucker is often nervous, likes to have a drink before heading to the mic, and is often late for sessions. Carlyle tells the camera that he’s learning to accept Tucker’s “crazy” nature.
And while her songs have a new grit (she still smokes!), she hasn’t lost a step when it comes to phrasing. The teardrops in her voice, strategically used in her songs of heartache, are still believable. The film interweaves contemporary sessions with highly selective and not entirely sanitized, but certainly understated expositions of her tumultuous past. All in all, it’s a better than competent fan service, and not a compelling bid for ancillary youth audiences.
The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlyle
R designation for salty words. Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes. at the theater.