Eilen Jewell Keeps Her Hands On The Wheel

Eilen Jewell New Release Reviewed

Eilen Jewell – Photo: LTTL

Eilen Jewell’s New Album

‘Get Behind The Wheel’

Out Now Via Signature Sounds

By Rob Dickens

It was indeed fortuitous for us at Listening Through The Lens that we were party to Eilen Jewell‘s live set at the Port Fairy Folk Festival just seven weeks back (READ OUR FESTIVAL REVIEW). As you would expect, she would be keen to showcase at least a couple of the new songs from Get Behind The Wheel prior to its official release on May 5, 2023.

“Crooked River” and “Could You Would You” were two of the new songs Jewell and her wonderfully competent and enduring three-piece backing combo presented and they certainly packed an emotional punch in a darker hue. Jewell’s marriage to her husband, co-parent and bandmate fell apart relatively recently and the impact of that posed serious, potentially fatal, threats on her career.

The new record, therefore, documents some dark moments – loss, grief – but also exhibits the tenacious resilience of pulling through to better times. Get Behind The Wheel was co-produced by the master multi-instrumentalist and collaborator Will Kimbrough and it’s a splendid addition to Jewell’s already impressive catalogue over ten albums. It’s weighty without feeling weighed down, ultimately a tale of a strong woman winning against the odds. It’s a biting convocation of yearning love songs, bitter blues, Mexican flourishes, smooth swing and classic country, one that lyrically goes beyond anything she has done before – case in point “The Bitter End”:

“So this is how it slips away
With a whimper and a bang
This is how our banners fade
Caught in the devil’s own parade”

Get Behind The Wheel is another ‘Jewellian’ exultation that repeatedly rewards the listener.

Get Behind the Wheel Tracklist:

Alive

Crooked River

Lethal Love

Come Home Soon

Winnemucca

Could You Would You

Breakaway

You Were A Friend Of Mine

Outsiders

Silver Wheels And Wings

The Bitter End

OFFICIAL SITE

ADVERTISE WITH LISTENING THROUGH THE LENS

More Music Adventures Await!

Eilen Jewell New Release Reviewed

***

(Visited 106 times, 1 visits today)

Author: Rob Dickens

Share This Post On
468 ad

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: