Search - Eilen Jewell :: Letters From Sinners & Strangers

Letters From Sinners & Strangers
Eilen Jewell
Letters From Sinners & Strangers
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

It's hard to tell where the traditional ends and the original begins in the music of Eilen Jewell, a sweet-voiced young singer who steeps her material in the hard times of old, reviving the stories and musical styles of th...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Eilen Jewell
Title: Letters From Sinners & Strangers
Members Wishing: 10
Total Copies: 0
Label: Signature Sounds
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 7/17/2007
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Outlaw Country, Classic Country, Traditional Folk, Roots Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 701237200620

Synopsis

Amazon.com
It's hard to tell where the traditional ends and the original begins in the music of Eilen Jewell, a sweet-voiced young singer who steeps her material in the hard times of old, reviving the stories and musical styles of the Depression. On her own "Rich Man's World," she casts herself as a "lonely rambler girl" while conjuring comparisons with Gillian Welch. Another original, "In the End," sounds uncannily like Lucinda Williams, while a revival of Eric Andersen's train-hopping "Dusty Boxcar Wall" and the double-entendre blues of the traditional "If You Catch Me Stealing" reinforce the sense of Jewell as a musical throwback to a time before she was born. Yet there are timeless pleasures here as well: a bittersweet reading of Charlie Rich's "Thanks a Lot," an understated, harmony-laden rendition of Bob Dylan's "Walking Down the Line," the sultry cantina twang of her original "Too Hot to Sleep." When the musical arrangements aren't generic Hot Club and the songs seem more like role-playing, Jewell sounds like a singer with enough promise to develop her own identity. --Don McLeese

Similar CDs


Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

A great new Artist.
Robert Westfall | Avon, New York United States | 07/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This could be my favorite new CD this year.Eilen (rhymes with feelin') Jewell combines folk, country ,Bluegrass and Pop yet manages to have her on unique style. She in part Madeleine Peyroux, part Kelly Willis but all Eilen Jewell. The songs are top notch, not a bad cut. She takes an old Johnny Cash Sun cut, "Thanks a Lot" and puts such a fresh coat of paint on it that it took me a few listens to recognize it. There are a couple of other outstanding covers, Eric Andersen's "Dusty box car wall" and Dylan's "Walking down the line" In both cases she makes them her own. However it's the originals that really shine. "Rich Man's world", In the end", "too hot to sleep", as I said, not a bad tune in the 12. I especially like "High shelf Booze" which would not have been out of place on an early Emmylou Harris" album. A terific CD!"
Newhouse News Review
Caroline Gear | 07/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eilen Jewell's first name rhymes with "feelin'," and there's little doubt that she'll leave listeners hooked on that feeling from listening to her smooth heartache songs, most sung in a drawl that's occasionally reminiscent of Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch.



"Letters from Sinners and Strangers" is primarily comprised of originals, along with a few notable exceptions including a standout, harmony-filled version of Bob Dylan's "Walkin' Down the Line" and a tasty take of Eric Anderson's "Dusty Boxcar Wall."



Yet Jewell sounds most at ease working against some jazz-textured fiddle and guitar work in the red hot "Heartache Boulevard;" going retro-country on the upbeat "Rich Man's World;" singing wondrously in the Williams' flavored "In The End;" or getting into a blues mood on "Where They Never Say Your Name."



She's got a great band working with her throughout the album, especially guitarist Jerry Miller and violinist Daniel Kellar. This one is first-rate from start to finish from an artist whose star is on the rise.



"
Old soul singing new tunes
J. C. Lewis Atty | lafayette, LA, USA | 10/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent and enjoyable music that hearkens back to an earlier era but is delivered freshly by Ms. Jewell and her band of musicians. A real delight!"