It Works for Me is the 25th and so far final studio album released by American country artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was released April 22, 1997 on DRD Records and was produced by Mandrell and Brent Rowan. It was the final studio album of Mandrell's career, as she would later retire from performing. The album was re-released on Razor & Tie Records many years later. It Works for Me spawned two singles in 1997, "Ten Pound Hammer" and "Get Here"; however, both songs failed to enter the Billboard Country Singles chart.
Background
It Works for Me was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It was the first studio album Barbara Mandrell co-produced, along with Brent Rowan. Unlike Mandrell's previous releases, the album consisted of 12 tracks, including a series of cover versions of songs previously recorded by other artists. "Get Here" was originally recorded by Brenda Russell, "Your One and Only" by Brenda Lee, ""Just Like Me" by Lee Greenwood, and "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison. The opening track entitled "Ten Pound Hammer" was originally recorded as the opening track for country artist Aaron Tippin's 1995 release Tool Box. It Works for Me mainly consists of contemporary country ballads and up-tempo material as well.
Release and critical reception
It Works for Me was originally released on April 22, 1997. The album became Mandrell's second studio not to chart the BillboardTop Country Albums chart. Both singles spawned from the album, "Ten Pound Hammer" and "Get Here" did not chart among the BillboardHot Country Songs chart, either. The songs would be Mandrell's final singles released during her music career. The album was originally available on a compact disc and audio cassette, but has since been available as an mp3 download as well. The album has since been re-issued as a compact disc on Razor & Tie Records. It Works for Me was given two and a half out of five stars by AllMusic without a review provided. After the album's release, Mandrell would enter retirement and leave the music business, and It Works for Me is her final studio album of original material to date.
