Queen of the Minor Key

Queen of the Minor Key

Eilen Jewell sets the scene for her sixth release with the opener “Radio City,” a stylish instrumental fired by yakety sax and tremolo guitar. It’s a perfect beginning to a dynamite album that finds her and her band creating a vivid musical landscape. Queen of the Minor Key features spot-on rockabilly (title track), classic country (“Only One,” “Long Road”), and blues (“I Remember You”), but the best tunes mash-up all three styles brilliantly (“Warning Signs,” “Bang Bang Bang,” “Hooked,” “Home to Me,” “Reckless”). Depending on the situation, Jewell’s voice can be sultry or strong, wicked or wounded, and her phrasing is particularly impressive on the torch songs “Over Again” and “Only One.” Aided by her swinging band of Johnny Sciasa (bass), Jason Beek (drums), and Jerry Miller (guitars, steel guitar), along with guests on saxophone, organ, and fiddle, she gets her songs across in a confident and clever way. Queen of the Minor Key ends as it began, with another revved-up, surf rock instrumental, neatly wrapping up a sparkling jewel of a record.

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