Last year, Eilen Jewell's debut album, Boundary County, made my Top Albums of 2006 list, and this year, her new alt-country release, Letters from Sinners & Strangers, will easily make my list for 2007. Avoiding the sophomore slump by a mile, Jewell's new album showcases her rich vocals, a more upbeat sound and impeccable song choice.
To be honest, I could listen to Eilen sing the telephone book – her voice is that pure – but the songs on Sinners & Strangers are far from run-of-the-mill. With songs of her own, tracks written by Bob Dylan and Charlie Rich, and a song inspired by Martin Luther King, the album brims with excellence.
At just 27 years of age, Eilen has an ageless, laid-back voice that commands attention and an uncanny understanding of how to create a classic record. Jewell's vocals are surrounded by the crisp, well-executed music of Jerry Miller on guitar, Johnny Sciascia on bass, Jason Beek on drums and Daniel Kellar on violin. And I have to mention the clarinet work of Alec Spiegleman on High Shelf Booze and Too Hot to Sleep, because it adds a timeless quality few other instruments can convey.
Like Gillian Welch and Devon Sproule, Eilen Jewell plays country music that's true to its roots and not caught up in the vacuum of radio's dull, sophomoric pop-country. Whether playing her harmonica or singing in her lonesome, drowsy voice, Jewell is authentic and a breath of fresh air.
Track List:
01 Rich Man's World (Jewell)
02 Dusty Boxcar Wall (Eric Anderson)
03 High Shelf Booze (Jewell)
04 Thanks a Lot (Charlie Rich)
05 Heartache Boulevard (Jewell)
06 Too Hot to Sleep (Jewell)
07 Where They Never Say Your Name
08 How Long (Inspired by the words of MLK)
09 In the End (Jewell)
10 If You Catch Me Stealing (Traditional)
11 Walking Down the Line (Bob Dylan)
12 Blue Highway (Jewell)
Download:
Eilen Jewell | If You Catch Me Stealing (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | High Shelf Booze (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | Heartache Boulevard (Edit) [MP3]
To be honest, I could listen to Eilen sing the telephone book – her voice is that pure – but the songs on Sinners & Strangers are far from run-of-the-mill. With songs of her own, tracks written by Bob Dylan and Charlie Rich, and a song inspired by Martin Luther King, the album brims with excellence.
At just 27 years of age, Eilen has an ageless, laid-back voice that commands attention and an uncanny understanding of how to create a classic record. Jewell's vocals are surrounded by the crisp, well-executed music of Jerry Miller on guitar, Johnny Sciascia on bass, Jason Beek on drums and Daniel Kellar on violin. And I have to mention the clarinet work of Alec Spiegleman on High Shelf Booze and Too Hot to Sleep, because it adds a timeless quality few other instruments can convey.
Like Gillian Welch and Devon Sproule, Eilen Jewell plays country music that's true to its roots and not caught up in the vacuum of radio's dull, sophomoric pop-country. Whether playing her harmonica or singing in her lonesome, drowsy voice, Jewell is authentic and a breath of fresh air.
Track List:
01 Rich Man's World (Jewell)
02 Dusty Boxcar Wall (Eric Anderson)
03 High Shelf Booze (Jewell)
04 Thanks a Lot (Charlie Rich)
05 Heartache Boulevard (Jewell)
06 Too Hot to Sleep (Jewell)
07 Where They Never Say Your Name
08 How Long (Inspired by the words of MLK)
09 In the End (Jewell)
10 If You Catch Me Stealing (Traditional)
11 Walking Down the Line (Bob Dylan)
12 Blue Highway (Jewell)
Download:
Eilen Jewell | If You Catch Me Stealing (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | High Shelf Booze (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | Heartache Boulevard (Edit) [MP3]
