Jessi Colter breaks a 20-year silence
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — 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.
About Shout! Factory:
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. For more
on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.
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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
JESSIE COLTER: OUT OF THE ASHES
Selection No.: DK 97640
Release Date: February 21, 2006
Price: $18.98 SLP
http://www.conqueroo.com