Key's in the Mailbox is the 23rd solo studio album released by American country artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was released September 24, 1991, on Capitol Records and was produced by Jimmy Bowen. It was Mandrell's fourth and final album for the Capitol label.
Background and content
Key's in the Mailbox was recorded in spring 1991 at Emerald Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. The album consisted of 10 tracks of songs recorded in a traditional country arrangement, similar to that of her previous Capitol releases. The opening title track was written by Harlan Howard, who previously contributed to Mandrell's 1988 release I'll Be Your Jukebox Tonight. The second track entitled "Tall Drink of Water" included a Country and Western arrangement. "Try Gettin' Over You" was co-written by American pop artist Michael Bolton and "I Love You Because" had previously been recorded by Leon Payne and Elvis Presley. The album also includes a cover of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". The album was originally released on a compact disc upon its release in 1991 and was also available on audio cassette. Bill Carpenter of Allmusic gave Key's in the Mailbox three out five stars, calling the album "Heartful soul and contemporary country."
Release
Key's in the Mailbox was released on September 24, 1991, and peaked at #62 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart shortly afterward. It would be Mandrell's final release to chart on any Billboard album list. Key's in the Mailbox was Mandrell's final studio release for Capitol Records, after recording four albums for the label between 1988 and 1991.
Track list
Personnel
From album liner notes
Rick Baird - background vocals
Eddie Bayers – drums
Dan Britton - background vocals
Walt Cunningham - horns (synth), strings (synth) Jerry Douglas - dobro Paul Franklin – steel guitar John Jarvis - piano Terry Kaufman - background vocals Barbara Mandrell – lead vocals George Marinelli - electric guitar Jimmy Ponder - background vocals Brent Rowan - electric guitar Lee Satterfield - background vocals Leland Sklar – bass Harry Stinson - background vocals Billy Joe Walker Jr. - acoustic guitar Chris Walters - synthesizer Lonnie Wilson - background vocals Jonathan Yudkin - fiddle