Irene Kelley - Snow White Memories

by Zena Grieg

published: 20 / 3 / 2023

Label: Irene Kelley Music
Format: CD

Sparkling mix of country, bluegrass and Americana on fourth album from Nashville singer-songwriter Irene Kelley

Review

The Nashville country singer-songwriter Irene Kelley has released a new album, her fourth full-length bluegrass record. Co-produced by Kelley and her daughter Justyna Kelley, with collaboration from an eclectic range of musicians and co-writers, ‘Snowy White Memories’ is a vibrant collection, marked by the perennial themes of loss, desire, loneliness and love. Songs to listen out for in this eleven-track collection include the rollicking opener and lead single ‘Wild Mountain Stream’; the nostalgic, traditional train song ‘Carolina Special’ about a train line that ran from 1911 to 1968; the intimate ‘Come Some Winter Morning’, capturing the sonic essence of the record; ‘Yellow Brick Highway’, inspired by 'The Wizard of Oz', with its jaunty fiddle and banjo accompaniment by Bill Contreras and Scott Vestal and harmonies provided by Brooke and Darin Alridge; the minimalist, quietly contemplative, patriotic ‘4th of July In My Hometown’; the swirling, punchy, upbeat ‘Satan Get Behind Me’; the mournful Appalachian ballad ‘Six Feet Down’; the quietly moving title track with layered harmonies from Kelley’s daughters Justyna and Sara Jean; and the closer ‘Safe Travels My Friend’ bringing Kelley’s mellifluous vocals to the fore. A sparkling mix of country, bluegrass and Americana, ‘Snow White Memories’ is an album that resonates.

Track Listing:-

1 Wild Mountain Stream
2 Carolina Special
3 Come Some Winter Morning
4 Lonely
5 Yellow Brick Highway
6 4th Of July In My Hometown
7 Satan, Get Behind Me
8 Six Feet Down
9 Snow White Memories
10 Can I Tell You
11 Safe Travels My Friend