Various - Strange Angels: In Flight with Elmore James

  by Lisa Torem

published: 1 / 3 / 2018

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Review

This commemorative CD celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of blues legend Elmore James. Primarily the backing band is 'Elmore’s Latest Broomdusters’ although there is constant shifting of the lead vocals. ‘Strange Angels’ boils over with blistering electric guitar and slide. Elayna Boynton opens it all up with her brassy, booming vocals. And who better than Bettye LaVette to wring the essence out of ‘Person to Person’? She’s understandably frustrated by a lover that chooses to maintain a relationship solely by phone. Country star Rodney Crowell reveals his own rockabilly roots on ‘Shake Your Money Maker’. With tongue-in-cheek phrases like “She likes living in the kitchen with her feet out in the hall,” the song requires an artist whose ego was left at the door and whose voice knows how to make those charming lyrics shine. Crowell’s such a master. ‘Done Somebody Wrong’ is sung by Tom Jones, whose gruff laments effectively rise over some very meaty instrumentals. ‘Mean Mistreatin’ Mama’ is done up right by Warren Haynes, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Mickey Raphael. You’ll need a strait jacket to keep your pulse from sky rocketing. Guitar and vocals outdo each other, and the explosive guitar solo and grand finale drum roll are more than satisfying. Deborah Bonham’s vocals on ‘Dust My Broom’ give this classic the emotion it requires. Unlike LaVette and Boynton, she’s got some sultry soprano in her rendition, which gives the bottom of the song a real kick in the pants. Leave emotional space for Jamey Johnson on ‘It Hurts Me Too.’ This arrangement pulls on the drawstrings of the heart. Although the instrumental structure is pretty standard, the lyrics bring it on home. Rudy Copeland’s amazing organ solo slays in front and simmers in the back. Doug Lancio is a slide superhero all across the board. And producer Marco Giovino’s drum rolls never fail to leave a lasting impression. Things take a delightful turn when Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer chime in with pretty vocals for title song, ‘Strange Angel’. Their harmonies are slightly off-kilter in a remarkably cool way. ‘Look on Yonder Wall’ is a complete contrast. Keb Mo’ carries the torch. He’s got a wonderfully warm voice and the bouncy solo brings to mind more New Orleans than any of the previous tracks. ‘My Bleeding Heart’ follows. Mollie Marriott takes off after a stormy intro. Her voice is a cutting combo of honey and horseradish. This fluid arrangement is rife with emotion. Chuck E. Weiss on ‘Hawaiian Boogie’ is merely one precocious player. There are lots of brilliant call and response tricks and swinging riffs. Addi McDaniel on ‘Dark and Dreary’ is yet another soulful addition. The swinging violin is sublime. This rendition benefits from a Django sensibility and big band feel. Instrumental ‘Bobby’s Rock’ is the closer, done up divinely by the Broomdusters. ‘Strange Angels’ is a great album which allows the listener to experience the diversity of Elmore James vis a vis a bevy of extraordinary talent. All proceeds go to MusicCares, a foundation which assists needy musicians and Edible Schoolyard NYC.

Track Listing:-

1 Can't Stop Loving You
2 Person to Person
3 Shake Your Money Maker
4 Done Somebody Wrong
5 Mean Mistreatin' Mama
6 Dust My Broom
7 It Hurts Me Too
8 Strange Angels
9 Look on Yonder Wall
10 My Bleeding Heart
11 Hawaiian Boogie
12 Dark and Dreary
13 Bobby's Rock