Out of the Ashes

Jessi Colter

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 28, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000E6EJ3E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,771 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Over 30 years ago, at the dawn of Nashville's Outlaw movement, Jessi Colter, wife of Waylon Jennings, was seemingly poised for her own stardom. Yet as his fame waxed, hers waned--though they frequently toured together before his death in 2002. But here, producer Don Was--ever the genius at reviving creative passion in veteran acts--has totally rejuvenated Colter. One of the songs on Out of the Ashes is a previously unreleased duet with Waylon (and the song's composer Tony Joe White), "Out of the Rain." Yet there's nothing elegiac about this music. Her new songs are taut and never less than compelling, "You Can Pick 'Em," "Starman," "You Took Me by Surprise," and "Velvet and Steel" rock relentlessly. The timeless "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" revisits Colter's gospel roots. Her take on Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" infuses roadhouse blues into the original arrangement. "Please Carry Me Home," featuring its co-composer, son Shooter Jennings, caps what stands as the year's most heartening comeback--one that leaves you wanting more. --Rich Kienzle

Product Description
The Long-Awaited Album From the Belle of "The Outlaws"

Jessi Colter was a major figure in country music in the ’70s and early ’80s, scoring a number of country and pop hits, including "I’m Not Lisa." She was also a crucial part of the Outlaw Country movement that included husband Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and David Allan Coe. In the mid-’80s, however, she stopped recording and focused on raising her son, Shooter Jennings, and helping him launch his career.

20 years later, Out of the Ashes is her triumphant return to recording. After being encouraged by friend Ben Harper to return to music, she has delivered a deeply personal stellar collection of originals and hand-picked covers that mixes country, blues, gospel, and rock. Producer Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan), assembled a strong backing band—with Don himself on bass, Colter stalwart Reggie Young on guitar, and a guest appearance by Shooter—to lay Jessi’s vision down on tape. As a special bonus, he and Jessi completed an unreleased song from the late ’80s that features vocals by Tony Joe White and Waylon Jennings.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best CD I've heard in 2006, March 29, 2006

By	Smallchief - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Jessi Colter had a couple of big hits about 30 years ago and then married Waylon Jennings and dropped out of sight. (For the truly trivial, before Waylon she was married to Duane Eddy, a very early Rock guitarist.)

Colter has a distinctive, strained whine of a voice that I think I would have recognized even after all these years. She plays the piano just like they did in the Baptist Church in Oklahoma 50 years ago: loud and with every note strongly emphasized. No delicate tinkle, tinkle here. The songs on this song are more gospel and blues than country and Colter wrote most of them.

The masterpiece cut is "Out of the Rain" which through the wonders of technology has Colter singing with the late Mr. Jennings and Tony Joe White. The bass line is mesmerizing; White's guitar is tremendous; and Waylon never sounded better. Another good one is "His Eye is on the Sparrow" a gospel tune. Son Shooter Jennings joins her on the elegaic "Please Carry Me Home." I especially like her piano playing on "The Canyon." Hell, all these songs are good and a first rate bunch of musicians back up Colter. Don Was of Rock fame is the producer and plays bass.

The CD features several good photographs of Colter and the Arizona desert. She must be about 60 and she's still a looker.

Smallchief

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great New Album, March 2, 2006

By	snippers (USA) - See all my reviews

I agree with the first review in all. This new Jessi Colter album is a great piece of work. She hasn't lost a step and a hard to believe she only sounds better. This is much better than Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose in my opinion and that was a great album. All of the songs by this outlaw lady are as good as outlaw music has ever seen, with some great production and musicians thrown in. Choice cuts are Phoenix Rises, Out of the Rain, and Velvet and Steel. But they are all special, in to its own. Jessi sounds like she's having the time of her life on this new one, and that means you will, too. Some rockin songs, some sad songs, some honkin songs, some tonkin songs. This is definitely a top notch album whether for fans of country or country rock or especially roots music. Jessi's been around long enough to know how to deliver. She really does. Five stars, and I give an extra one for Ray Herndon, Tony Joe, and Shooter Jennings, if I could. This will be in my CD player for a long time.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jessi Colter's New Wine: a Delicious Musical Experience, June 15, 2006

By	Invisiboy2001 "invisiboy2001" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

First off, I have to confess that even though I knew several of Jessi Colter's hits from the '70s, I was never really a fan until I bought one of her "best of" CDs a few years back. Now, I am addicted. Her voice is supremely expressive, with splashes reminiscent of Carole King and Dolly Parton (which is kind of funny, because Jessi Colter is known for having the second most spectacular chest in country music, after Ms. Parton). Her songwriting is skillful, laid back, and potent. And she has presence and substance, and so does her piano playing. But not in a showy way, in a solid, earthy, real way. She is the truth. She is what music strives to be.

With that said, you know that this review is completely biased. But read one, please.

Colter's music on this new CD sasses a little, provokes a lot, and is so firmly crafted that it creates its own base without relying on gimmicks and overproduction. "Velvet and Steel" is a bluesy country rocker with so much sex going on in it that it makes Madonna sound like The Flying Nun. Truly enjoyable! Especially because the CD starts off with a song about Jesus. Here is a woman who embraces spirituality AND sexuality -- my kinda gal! (By the way, if "Jesus" isn't your thing, the song probably won't bug you ... I am not a Christian and find the song to be enjoyable, artistic and worthwhile. It's a quiet celebration, not a tune to convert anyone.)

Colter's late husband Waylon Jennings' voice is featured on a few tracks, which is a real treat. The two of them were PERFECT musical foils for one another. When they sang together, they danced, they made love, they lived many lives. Their joint ventures have invariably been experiments in passion and musical skill. Find their older albums if you need proof.

Now, about Don Was. He's an awesome producer. Remember Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time" CD? That was his work, and it made Raitt a superstar. Well, here he is, working his magic on Jessi Colter. What's remarkable about his work here is that he gives Colter so much ROOM. A lot of producers feel the need to squash as much supportive sound behind the singer as will fit. Was does not do that. He allows Colter's voice and piano to shine, all the while texturing the songs with licks and vocals that complement, not distract from, the leading lady. Simply put: This CD is deftly produced. Bravo, Don Was!

Okay, I have rambled enough! Bottom line here is if you enjoy good, solid country music, this CD is for you. It's bluesy. With lots of roots rock going on. But the basis is country. And it's real country, not like the inferior new music played on the radio these days. This is a lovely, lovely CD that is destined to become a classic. Buy it, listen, and love it; it'll love you back.

Welcome back, Jessi Colter! MUSIC HAS NEVER NEEDED YOU MORE. Oh, and you are still breathtakingly gorgeous!