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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Radio City |
| 2. I Remember You |
| 3. Queen Of The Minor Key |
| 4. That's Where I'm Going |
| 5. Santa Fe |
| 6. Warning Signs |
| 7. Reckless |
| 8. Over Again |
| 9. Bang Bang Bang |
| 10. Hooked |
| 11. Ony One |
| 12. Long Road |
| 13. Home To Me |
| 14. Kalimoixo |
Product Description
Review
Firstly, this disc is blessed with an evocative title, and its song of the same name delivers the sounds to match. Where do we place Jewell, this country miss who also sounds like a darkly mysterious rock'n'roller, a blues-gal, a purveyor of garage exotica? She appears to be quite naturally gravitating toward several scenes simultaneously, well-versed in the manners of each form. Jewell sings and plays acoustic guitar, also taking the occasional harmonica solo.
Closely identified with Los Angeles, though born in Boise, Idaho, Jewell currently lives in Boston. Her songs sound like they haven't reared up out of any of these cities. Nashville noir, maybe? Lower East Side hillbilly? Her right hand man is Jerry Miller, who slides from electric guitar to pedal steel, by way of an acoustic axe. Jewell's four-piece combo is augmented by guests: it's saxophonist David Sholl and organist Tom West who provide much of the period atmosphere, when it comes to stepping outside the country music parameters. Californian rockabilly king Big Sandy turns up without his Fly-Rite Boys, providing guest vocals. He and Jewell have already been gigging together.
Short instrumentals open and close the album, full of twangy guitar, ghost organ and burred saxophone. Jewell shuffles a range of slowies and trotters, well-pacing these 14 short numbers. The whole album is a mere 38 minutes, a length that lately seems to be grabbing back some favour. Her voice is caught up close to the microphone, enhancing the already mood-drenched aura. She invariably builds up a lonely melancholy tone, a nostalgic yearning. The title-cut has a rockabilly slap-back, the lurching continuing with the next track. Jewell's words are substantial and loaded with archetypal imagery. Every song is a micro-tale. To ensure her credentials as a country artist, she includes a healthy ratio of decelerated weepies, including Reckless, with its fiddling solo from Rich Dubois. Their character recalls the work of Gillian Welch, or even Lucinda Williams. Not surprisingly, Bang Bang Bang sounds just like its title, loaded with hulking horn-jabs.
In a recorded career that only began in 2005, Jewell has already been marinated by a variety of styles for each of her album projects. Now, she's refining her songwriting into an individualist composite of myriad genres, crafting works which resonate with her own personality. It's clear that she's no dilettante, and that her understanding of rock'n'roll, gospel, folk, country and rockabilly has a profound depth.
--Martin Longley
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CD Description
After her Butcher Holler tribute to Loretta Lynn, Eilen Jewell returns with an almost Self-Titled album of originals. Queen Of The Minor Key is a well deserved and utterly fitting title for Eielen and her new album. Once again this is retro-country at its very best. Great songs, great singing and great playing by her fabulous band: Jerry Miller, Johnny Sciascia and Jason Beek.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I promote a selected range of artists and I have worked with Eilen since 'Letters from sinners & strangers' in 2007. Each year she returns to the UK with a great album and a stunning live show. So it was with great anticipation that I awaited 'Queen of the minor key' - As ever, she does not disappoint. Simply put, there is not a bad track on the album and the band get even hotter. 'I remember you' could be straight out of a Coen bros film and Jerry Miller's guitar work is some of the best I have ever heard. Buy the record and see the band!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well what can I say? Its not perfect like Sea of Tears and Letters From Sinners and Strangers but its close enough to not matter. Highpoint for me is the title track, but to be honest its all fantastic. I'm caught in 2 minds - whether to campaign to get her a much wider following or keep quiet so I can continue to see her amazing live shows in tiny venues like Tingewick Village Hall. And all you festival organisers.....if you want an act will light up any stage in the world look no further....
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Eilen Jewell - Queen Of The Minor Key (Signature Sounds)
Eilen Jewell might well be the "Queen Of The Minor Key" but while she's channeling all that implied sadness and melancholy through these wonderful `50s-style torch ballads and noirish rock `n' roll foot-tappers, we should keep her Prozac safely locked away. Surely writing songs as fine as this is all the therapy she needs. The title track is a classic rockabilly stomp with a great lyric. "Warning Signs" is something altogether more slinky, but with the same insistent beat, and a saxophone to boot. Of the slower songs, you should try and hear "Santa Fe". If you find yourself drawn to Imelda May's records, you're going to love all of it.
Eilen Jewell might well be the "Queen Of The Minor Key" but while she's channeling all that implied sadness and melancholy through these wonderful `50s-style torch ballads and noirish rock `n' roll foot-tappers, we should keep her Prozac safely locked away. Surely writing songs as fine as this is all the therapy she needs. The title track is a classic rockabilly stomp with a great lyric. "Warning Signs" is something altogether more slinky, but with the same insistent beat, and a saxophone to boot. Of the slower songs, you should try and hear "Santa Fe". If you find yourself drawn to Imelda May's records, you're going to love all of it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Gem of a Jewell
This lady really is a jewel. You can put this disc on and just soak in that laid back and melodic voice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. M. Derry
just superb!
This is one of the best albums I have heard in years (so are this ladies other albums) she has that rare voice that you only hear once every 10 years or so, stunning CD!
Published 5 months ago by beretta
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