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On the back of last year's covers album, Grey DeLisle further cements her return to the fold of recording artist with a commendably listenable album bubbling with original material indisputably labelled 'country'. With Deke Dickerson in one of the production driving seats and Ray Benson chipping in on a tongue-in-cheek vocal duet, the slant of country is nailed to a pedal steel pulsating rhythm and a vocal sound gloriously channelling some inner Dolly. Voice is right at the heart of DeLisle's identity with respect to a lengthy career as American animation's most prolific voice artist. From a creative base of interpretative art, the transition back to music blossoms in how an iconic style is conquered and swiftly translated to a modern page. SHE'S AN ANGEL smoothly glides through the listening channels making you smile and dance, not forgetting the essential bout of heartbreak.
All but one of the album's fourteen tracks are original songs with DeLisle locked into the writing mix. There is irony that the odd one out a Billy Vera composition - 'I Really Got The Feeling' - was written for Dolly Parton, a name that frequently flashes across your mind as the vocal sound unravels. The other big name association is the aforementioned Benson who duets on 'The Dog', a number draped in a humorous cloak in the tradition of many light hearted country predecessors.
The forty-two minute running time rattles along in a flash duly helped by standout tracks in the opening and closing slots. Before you slip on 'I'll Go Back to Denver (and You Can Go to Hell)' you know from the title what to expect and reality duly plays to form. By the time 'Quit Pickin' on Me' hails the end, you're totally sold with DeLisle's vocal adeptness to inject feeling and colour into each song thus sealing the deal.
Several delves into the record eventually ease out 'Who Bought the Boots Beside You' as a flagged up track. All the traditional country credentials are in place to illuminate the song. 'She's an Angel' is one of the more curious tracks with a sudden jolt towards the end bringing all the ties of a sentimental heartbreaker together. This track neatly segues into the contrasting uplifting vibes of 'I Like The Way You Think I Think', with a toe tapping upbeat appeal and a dip into a jazzy-Western Swing world.
A brief spurt of glorious steel heralds 'Wasted' in the record's early stages as the you start to get the feel of what DeLisle and her team are about. More steel in the latter part will float the boat of those smitten by some twang. Fiddle doesn't appear to play a large part on the record but is right at the core of 'Shake That Thing'. Melodies are prevalent throughout probably peaking in the delightful vibes flowing out of 'Everybody's Baby'.
Back to the early stages lead you to 'Stick and Poke', the first inkling of the Dolly-effect, though the track struggles to make an impact against its big hitting counterparts. Making a greater imprint a couple of tracks down the line is the rhythmically jaunty 'I Missed You' blessed with an infectious beat.
The two remaining tracks bringing this fine collection up to a full complement are the interestingly constructed western story song 'Cowboy Joe' with the lyrical content shining brightly and 'Big Sister' where things veer in a country blues direction. All the songs chosen for this album are up to scratch, smoothing the ride as the charm weaves it way into your country heart.
SHE'S AN ANGEL is one of those dual propelled albums with separate release dates across the pond. Europe officially gets to savour what the Americans have enjoyed for a while on January 19th. Regardless of strategy, the move to jump onto Grey DeLisle's country re-birth is advisable at anytime. She really possesses the knack of making a good record, whether funnelling her own talents or engaging with wise accomplices.
