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That's right, folks… The only woman who could rowdy on down
the mighty Waylon Jennings has just released her first recording
in about two decades. And let me tell you, folks… it was well
worth the wait. Out Of The Ashes finds Jessi Colter
in fine form; both her tremendously rich voice and her amazing songwriting.
While many of the songs on Out Of The Ashes tend towards a
bit of a gospel feel, there are a few rowdier numbers that remind
the listener just who they are listening to, and where her deep roots
lie.
The album gets moving with the sweet sound of Jessi's voice as she
soulfully sets the pace for the record with the stripped down gospel
sound of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". Jessi's voice is more
soulful than most anyone on the radio these days, and its brilliance
shines on a simple track, accompanied only by bass, piano, and strings.
"You Can Pick 'Em" is an earthy and cool blues tune that
would fit right in on a Lucinda Williams record. The song has
not only the lyrical bite and vicious story that one would expect,
but is filled with some great squawking guitar parts, as well. "The
Phoenix Rises" is tremendously produced by Don Was, full
of layers of tone and intricate and delicate instrumental parts that
suitably buoy the tender vocals of Colter. This song is one of the
most remarkable things I've heard of late, full of intense emotions
and hope buried beneath the feelings of loss.
By the time we get to "Out Of The Rain", it seems no surprise
to hear Waylon's voice and his distinctive guitar playing. Tony
Joe White, who wrote the song, also joins in on this tune; one
that will surely make many best of lists for 2006. Listening to the
song, one is hard-pressed to remember that Waylon has been gone for
more than a year now… but this is one way that he survives in
more than only memories. The soulful, slow country groove sends shivers
down my spine. Jessi lays down an awesome cover of Bob Dylan's
"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", complete with the slurred
hop of the piano and the lilting harmonica parts. It's nearly verbatim,
but has a distinctive feel and life of its own. Some melancholy strings
carry "So Many Things", a smoky tune that could be lifted
out of a cabaret in days past. There's a gently rolling country beat
behind "Never Got Over You", which finds Jessi sounding
more contemporary. Ray Herndon joins in on vocals and guitar
on this track, one which he co-wrote with Jessi. It's a beautiful
song that brings a sort of joyful sentimentality to the record, bringing
gladness back to the album after a few songs of melancholy. This all
leads to "Please Carry Me Home", a song written by Jessi
and Shooter Jennings, and sung by them both. Jessi's piano
playing is as powerful on this tune as her voice, sung with the fervor
of a Southern Gospel singer, and Shooter makes his dad proud here
as well.
If you're looking for real soul music, forget about the AAA stuff
you've been hearing. Toss aside your Norah Jones records and
do yourself a favor… Get Out Of The Ashes and rediscover
just what soul music is supposed to be.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. His Eye Is On The Sparrow
2. You Can Pick 'Em
3. Starman
4. Phoenix Rises, The
5. Out Of The Rain - (with Waylon Jennings/Tony Joe White)
6. Velvet & Steel
7. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
8. You Took Me By Surprise
9. So Many Things
10. Canyon, The
11. Never Got Over You
12. Please Carry Me Home - (with Shooter Jennings)
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Jessi
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