I've seen photos of Eilen Jewell, and she looks like a little blonde girl with big eyes, a bit on the delicate side, but what she sounds like is smoulder, smoke and heart-break, seedy dive bars, cigarettes and a hint of sex. Queen of the Minor Key is excellent, melding country, blues, surf-rock and old style rock and roll and rockabilly elements, sometimes shimmying along with a quiet twang, sometimes grooving and stomping ahead at full pelt - it's a varied set, but tied together by the smoky mood and Jewell's compelling voice and presence at its centre.
(also: Sea of Tears)
(also: Sea of Tears)
