Customer Reviews

Letters From Sinners & Strangers

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

Truly enjoy this album. It runs in my car CD player every day in my work commute. Though the lyrics is supposed to be on the downside the music is not, it has a nice beat.

Received the CD as a gift. I'd never heard of Eilen Jewell and bet you haven't either. This is a wonderful album. Best new performer I've heard this year. Buy it. You'll ahead of the parade.

Eilen Jewell is amazing. Love her voice and her bands arrangements. Nice sound and rhythm. Caught her live act last week nearby and thoroughly enjoyed her on stage dynamics. Her enunication of words is very unusal in that you can actually hear every word clearly. Hor voice swings. Backed up by a creative electric guitar, drums and standup bass. She and her band are a sound to not be missed.

Simply amazing. If you like Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Jolie Holland, etc...then you'll love this.

Listening to Eilen Jewell's ballads is like enjoying the bouquet of your favorite chardonay before taking that first sip. She creates a mosaic of life's scents of romance and despair. Her voice blends with the talented background musicians that accent the message in each of her well written songs. It is a must for that "wind -down" Friday night or mellow Sunday morning. Enjoy the fruits of Ms. Jewell's work. I know I am.

This is an absolutely wonderful album. The music is fun and stirring and just plain great. It is heartily recommended.

I thought the most recent albums must be the best, but this is just as good. Excellent addition of fiddle/clarinet - gives the songs a whole extra dimension. Every album of Eilen's that I've heard has been enjoyable from start to finish.