Leah Blevins – All Dressed Up
This interesting artist comes from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. Recorded in the Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville with producer Dan Auerbach (acoustic & baritone guitars/bass/fuzz bass/mellotron/cowbell/claps/cymbals/bgv). There’s lots of the spirit of the South in a contemporary mainstream storytelling style.
This is Leah’s sophomore set, All Dressed Up (Drops March 20/Easy Eye Sound/Concord/30:55) with 10 tantalizing tunes that at times sound like a more rock-infused Dolly Parton/Jessi Colter with “All Dressed Up.” Leah isn’t heavily countrified like Parton, but the tonality is unmistakable. What’s impressive is that she isn’t imitating or emulating; she’s fully engaged in her own fortified style, which surfaces even on “Be Careful Throwing Stones.”
This has happened in the past. The late singer Johnny Burnette (“Little Boy Sad,” “You’re 16”) sounded like Elvis Presley but never imitated Elvis the way Ray Donner & others did. Or, when the band America (“Horse With No Name”) sounded like Neil Young, or Boxcar Willie sounded like Johnny Cash with singing lessons.
The tunes aren’t the kind of songs Dolly would do. They’re more ‘60s pop-oriented with a chic country inflection. But what’s captivating is the character of the voice, which is in the “spirit” of Parton. “Below the Belt” is perfectly captured as Leah Blevins – delicate, with a whiff of mainstream ‘60s pop-rock. More in a country tradition is “Hey God” — impressive in this realm.
Leah sings straight, whereas Dolly can be more of a showbiz entertainer when she sings. If Dolly is the milkshake of mountain country songs, Leah can proudly be the ice cream soda. I like both – especially when Leah does things like “Diggin’ In the Coal.” A driving, commercially modern, perfect pop-country tune — catchy as another Dolly-toned singer, Kellie Pickler (“Red High Heels”).
An ounce more country crossed between Dolly & “Walkin’ After Midnight” Patsy Cline is “Lonely.” A song that sounds like a Roy Orbison cover. There isn’t a bad track here. There are similarities to Parton, so what? I hear a distinguished effort in Leah’s showcase, with differences & subtleties. It surfaces with “Leave It Up To Me,” & “Centerfold” – 2 fine rousing mainstream-oriented songs. She’s an engaging artist.
Highlights – “All Dressed Up,” “Be Careful Throwing Stones,” “Below the Belt,” “Hey God,” “Diggin’ In the Coal,” “Lonely,” “Leave It Up To Me,” & “Centerfold.”
Musicians – Sam Bacco (conga/tambourine/shaker/bongo/triangle/brushes/Glockenspiel/wind chimes/claps/cymbals/clave/Guero), Jeffrey Clemens (drums), Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Jim Brown (piano/Rhodes/harpsichord/Wurlitzer), Steve Mackie (upright bass), Joe Harrison (Wurlitzer/organ/mellotron/Juno/vibes/celeste/tambourine/guitar/bongo/shaker), Russ Pahl (pedal steel/guitar/baritone guitar/sitar), David Rawlings & Dave Lavita (guitars), Jake Botts (tenor & baritone sax), Tommy Branneck (bass), Andrew Golden (trumpet), Daniel Tashian, Ronnie Bowman, Trey Keller & Terry Eldredge (bgv), Matt Combs (strings), Billy Swan (organ) & Bobby Wood (Wurlitzer).
A 6-page stitched lyric insert is included. Images courtesy of Jim Herrington. CD @ Bandcamp, Apple & Amazon + https://www.leahblevinsmusic.com/