Eilen Jewell - 'Butcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn'

After releasing her acclaimed rockabilly opus, “Sea of Tears,” last year, the Boston-based singer/songwriter continues mining the same Americana musical vein with this tribute to one of America’s top country singer/songwriters, Loretta Lynn. This could be one of the most flattering, solid and heartfelt celebrations yet of the Coal Miner’s Daughter’s down-home country.

Here Jewell, backed only by her accomplished combo of Jerry Miller on guitars/pedal steel, Johnny Sciascia on upright bass and Jason Beek on drums, presents a dozen Lynn tunes from the ’60s and ’70s. Jewell doesn’t inject the same drawl and grit into these songs as her hero; rather, she interprets them with a slightly more folky, melodic voice. But with the spare country rocking and honky-tonkin’ at the hands of her backing boys, Jewell maintains the integrity of each feisty, melodic Lynn composition. The unflinching songs come alive as Jewell and her band keep it simple, allowing Lynn’s clever lyrics and attitude come through.

This is real country music at its rootsy best. Loretta Lynn never sounded so good on this Jewell of a tribute.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Tracks to download  “Fist City,”  “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (with Lovin’ On Your Mind)”

Buy "Butcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn" (Link goes to Amazon.com)

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