GREY DeLISLE : IRON FLOWERS

 

  1. Bohemian Rhapsody
  2. Joanna
  3. Right Now
  4. Who Made You King
  5. God's Got It
  6. The Bloody Bucket
  7. Iron Flowers
  8. Blueheart (featuring the Amazements)
  9. Sweet Little Bluebird
  10. Inside Texas
    Bonus Tracks from Bootlegger Vol. 1
  11. that's alright mama
  12. homewrecker
  13. frozen in time
  14. my dixie darling
  15. usted
  16. showgirl
  17. don't worry baby
  18. 't Was her hunger
  19. the hole
  20. ferris wheels and freakshows

Label : Sugar Hill Records

Venue : The Scene, Glendale, California, USA (Bonus Tracks)

Recording Date : May 2, 2003 (Bonus Tracks)

Length : 71:35

Release Year : 2005

Review (AllMusic) : It takes a bit of nerve to open an album with a new version of "Bohemian Rhapsody," even if the last album received good reviews. But Grey DeLisle delivers a confidently subdued take on Freddie Mercury's classic, skipping the dramatic ending and turning it into a softly sung, tender ballad. Add to this a tastefully low-key arrangement and a steel guitar, and one has the beginning of a thoughtful, emotive performance on Iron Flowers. DeLisle is joined by a talented team, including bassist Murry Hammond, guitarist Marvin Etzioni (who also handles production chores), and pedal steel player Greg Leisz. While the instrumental backup - guitars, steel, and the occasional mandolin - may be somewhat standard in alternative country circles, it's used with a great deal of elasticity on Iron Flowers. The band can play it rough, as on the rowdy "Blueheart," or gentle acoustic on "Sweet Little Bluebird," and DeLisle has the vocal range to effectively deliver the emotional goods on both. The good material - from borrowed oldies to fresh originals - lasts through track ten, and the performances by everyone involved give the album a feel of authenticity. With DeLisle's confident vocals and songwriting and an imaginative sound, Iron Flowers is a charming album that will please old fans and make lots of new ones.

Review for Bootlegger Vol. 1 (No Depression) : Someone in your household may already be a fan of Grey DeLisle. As a voice-over actress, she's a Saturday morning star, with roles in Rugrats, Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo and Flintstones episodes. She's been Vicky on Nickelodeon's "The Fairly Odd Parents" and Emily Elizabeth on PBS's "Clifford The Big Red Dog". Playstation2 aficionados know her as Firiona Vie in EverQuest. She released a CD, Homewrecker, on her own label last year and has signed with Sugar Hill for an early 2004 release. You may also know her husband, Old 97's bassist Murry Hammond, who plays with DeLisle as well. His work here is busier than strictly necessary, but includes enough good ideas to stand up to the foreground. Bootlegger showcases the pair's musical talents in a live environment, documenting a performance at the Scene in Glendale, California on May 2nd, 2003 with guitarist Willie Aron, drummer Perry Ostin and guitarist-mandolinist Marvin Etzioni (who also produced). The set includes covers of Elvis' "That's Alright Mama", the Carter Family's "My Dixie Darling" and the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby". DeLisle stretches the range with a Mexican standard, "Usted", but the arrangement fits nicely within their club-rock repertoire slathered with blues influence. Hammond shines on the record's only vocal duet, "Showgirl", but DeLisle's vocals may be an acquired taste. She's aiming for smoky 2 a.m. soul, but comes up a Saturday morning.