Shania Twain's latest album, "Little Miss Twain," released Friday, explores a largely unknown chapter of her life: her early years in Northern Ontario, Canada. Twain describes this period, from her first performances at age 8 up to her late 20s before signing a major label deal, as a time of "character building" that filled a significant gap in her personal and musical storytelling.
Before achieving global fame and winning five Grammy Awards, Twain performed in bars for miners, lumberjacks, and fishermen. These performances, often late at night after the bar had closed and while she was underage, provided her with crucial early experience. "I spent a lot of years dreaming about things that would eventually come but took a little while," she told The Associated Press.
A Tribute to Her Mother
The title track, "Little Miss Twain," serves as an emotional centerpiece, dedicated to her mother, who died in a car crash in 1987 alongside Twain's stepfather. Her mother, who could not sing herself, acted as Twain's manager, agent, driver, and coach, guiding her through those early bar performances. "According to my mother / I'm the next Tanya Tucker," Twain sings in the chorus, a line that features a duet with Tanya Tucker. Twain expressed that having Tucker on the track held profound meaning, particularly in relation to what it would have meant to her mother.
The album also features background vocals from Twain's son, Eja D’Angelo Lange, on several tracks. Twain noted the poignancy of working with her son, fulfilling aspects her own mother could not share in her success.
Musical Influences and Evolving Voice
"Little Miss Twain" draws from a diverse range of Twain's musical inspirations, including Motown, classic country artists like Marty Robbins, and rock influences. The song "Faded Blue Jeans," for instance, is described as a bluesy rock track featuring Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Ronnie Wood also contributed to the album.
Twain's current vocal sound, characterized by a rasp or gravelly tone, is partly a result of contracting Lyme disease years ago, which affected her voice. In 2018, she underwent surgery to place implants in her larynx due to damaged nerves, a procedure she described as unusual for a singer. This surgery contributed to her distinctive vocal quality, which she now embraces.
When listeners experience "Little Miss Twain," Twain hopes they gain a deeper understanding of the environment and experiences that shaped her as a person and an artist. She aims to share the story of the young cover singer at the local bar, the woman whose early journey often goes unrecognized, filling in "the missing chapter of who I am."