k.d. lang - Drag

Returning, however tentatively, to the torch stylings that made Ingénue her most successful album, k.d. lang crafted an odd commercial comeback with Drag. A collection of covers that are somehow related to smoking, Drag is far more ambitious than the average cover record. She recasts Steve Miller's "The Joker" and the Hollies' "The Air That I Breathe" as slow, bluesy cabaret numbers, while traditional '50s pop like "Don't Smoke in Bed" and "Smoke Rings" act as seductive counterpoints. lang's rich voice and the measured arrangements make Drag a ringer for Ingénue in places, but the tone is considerably lighter and more humorous, which certainly makes it an enjoyable listen. Nevertheless, the very presence of a tongue-in-cheek, all-covers tribute to smoking is a little disheartening in the wake of the wonderful, if severely underappreciated, All You Can Eat, which found lang pushing herself forward. Drag, in comparison, can't help but sound like a retreat. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Abe Laboriel, Jr. Drums Albert Sanchez Photography Anthony Cooke Cello Barbara Porter Cello Benji Gavabedian Violin Bruce Dukov Violin Connie Grauer Piano Craig Street Producer Danny Kopelson Engineer David Piltch Bass David Torn Kotar, ?, Guitar Dennis Karmazyn Cello Doug Boehm Assistant Engineer Gayle Levant Harp Greg Calbi Mastering Greg Leisz Pedal Steel Henry Ferber Violin Jay Rosen Violin Jerry Kessler Cello Jimmie Haskell Orchestration, Conductor, ? Joe Lovano Saxophone Jon Hassell Trumpet Joy Lyle Violin k.d. lang Art Direction, Producer Karen Jones Violin Kevin Breit Guitar, Banjo Kim Zick Drums Kimberly Brewer Vocals (Background) Larry Corbett Cello Linda Cobb Art Direction, Design Lisa Coleman Keyboards Marva King Vocals (Background) Mike Scotella Mixing Assistant Pat Johnson Violin Patrick McCarthy Mixing Portia Griffin Vocals (Background) Ray Kelley Cello Ron Folsom Violin Sid Page Violin Suzi Datayama Cello Teddy Borowieckl Accordion, Keyboards, Piano Wendy Melvoin Guitar