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| Jessi Colter Readies First New Solo Album in 20 Years Original country outlaw Jessi Colter breaks a 20-year silence as she prepares to release Out Of The Ashes, her first new solo album since 1984. Produced by longtime friend and Grammy award winner Don Was, Out Of The Ashes marks a grand return to Colter’s roots, with twelve predominantly self-penned songs steeped in the blues and gospel of traditional country music. Recorded over a period of two years in Nashville, the album features guest vocals by Colter’s son Shooter Jennings, good friend Tony Joe White, and even a voice from the past – the legendary Waylon Jennings. Out Of The Ashes arrives in stores February 21st from Shout! Factory. Colter was enticed into recording a new album by Don Was. “I played Don one of my new songs and he said, ‘You write ten of those and we’ll make an album’.” Colter had actually recorded many demos at home, accompanying herself on the grand piano, many of which were incorporated into the tapestry of the new album. Legendary engineer and alt-country veteran Ray Kennedy (Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams) quickly signed on to the project. The resulting collection has already been given the ultimate compliment by Shooter, who remarked that it sounds “dirty and messy like an early Rolling Stones record.” Out Of The Ashes reaches nearly every corner of traditional American roots music, beginning with a haunting version of the classic hymn “His Eye Is On The Sparrow, ” perhaps intended as an opening prayer to the commanding album. With the perfunctory blessing out of the way, the album then steps into the mid-tempo bluesy rhythm of “You Can Pick ‘Em, ” co-written with songwriter and longtime Lyle Lovett band member Ray Herndon, who also co-wrote and provided vocals on the traditional-sounding duet “Never Got Over You.” Colter also shares a writing credit and vocals on “Please Carry Me Home” (originally recorded for Songs Inspired By The Passion Of The Christ), the powerful gospel hymn written with son Shooter Jennings, a successful country artist in his own right. The most talked about cut on Out Of The Ashes will undoubtedly be the Tony Joe White scribed “Out of the Rain.” Appearing mid-way through the album, the slow-moving duet predates the new material by several years and includes an initial vocal track completed by Waylon Jennings, a fitting tribute to Colter’s late love. The track also features what Colter terms “primitive” sounding vocals by the Greater Apostolic Christ Temple Choir. Out Of The Ashes also includes a rollicking blues version of the Dylan song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” And, Colter’s voice sounds particularly sweet in the simple lullaby “You Took Me By Surprise” which, with the simple piano and fiddle accompaniment, is reminiscent of classic Patsy Cline. Out Of The Ashes marks the eighth solo album release for Colter beginning with 1970’s aptly titled “A Country Star Is Born” and excluding two children’s releases in ’95 and ’00. Colter makes her home in Arizona nowadays, on a ranch with a view of the mountains. The peacefulness, she says, contributes to her incentive to write. Colter claims to have written two more albums worth of material, so rest assured there will be no more 20-year interruptions in this classic career. Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, Calif. Its fine products are distributed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc. TRACK LISTING: His Eye Is On The Sparrow You Can Pick ‘Em Starman The Phoenix Rises Out Of The Rain Velvet And Steel Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 You Took Me By Surprise So Many Things The Canyon Never Got Over You Please Carry Me Home write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |