 
|
GREY DE LISLE
Bootlegger (Hummin'bird)
The Graceful Ghost (Sugar Hill)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
These two albums present multiple sides of Grey De Lisle's musical persona, which barely scratches the surface of her talents. If you haven't heard her sing, you've still almost certainly heard her. She's hard to miss, with a catalog of voiceover work that ranges from animated TV and film (Scooby Doo's Daphne, for instance, or the Flintstones' Betty Rubble) to a variety of national advertising campaigns. That seems to be happenstance, though, and music seems to be her genuine muse. It's in her blood, after all. De Lisle's mother was a musician as well, and she was largely raised by her grandmother Eva Flores Ruth, a vocalist who had an occasional stint with Tito Puente's orchestra. De Lisle traces her own songwriting efforts back to her kindergarten days.
Some of her songs appear on Bootlegger, but she does some stunning covers, too, with an astonishing range. "That's Alright Mama" is done in true rockabilly raveup style, while the Carter Family's "My Dixie Darling" features De Lisle strumming an autoharp like Mother Maybelle until the full band (anchored by her husband, the Old 97's bassist Murry Hammond, and Marvin Etzioni of the late, great Lone Justice) kicks in. Roll in some vintage Brian Wilson with her rendition of "Don't Worry Baby" and you've got a picture of an artist who can go anywhere and do most anything vocally.
Her latest release, The Graceful Ghost, is considerably more limited stylistically, quite by design, but is no less ambitious as a result. Using analog equipment and antique instrumentation, De Lisle offers eleven originals and a cover of Kitty Wells' "This White Circle On My Finger" as they might have been performed if only there had been recording studios during the American Civil War. What might be a mere affectation in the hands of a lesser talent becomes a genuine artistic vision with De Lisle in command (again with principal assists from Hammond and Etzioni). Even the packaging adheres to the theme, with antique photography enlisted to recreate the images that inspired the title ('the graceful ghost' was the name given to the effects of movement in front of antique cameras that required the subject to remain motionless for minutes at a time to acquire a clear picture).
Who knows what De Lisle's next effort will bring. Maybe some vintage music hall tunes, maybe avant garde electronica. Anything seems possible (though the latter seems unlikely...), but whatever she comes up with, I'll be in line for a listen. She's yet to disappoint.
Track Lists:
Bootlegger: That's Alright Mama * Homewrecker * Frozen In Time * My Dixie Darling * Usted * Showgirl * Don't Worry Baby * 'Twas Her Hunger * The Hole * Ferris Wheels And Freakshows
The Graceful Ghost: The Jewel Of Abilene * Sweet Savior's Arms * Sharecroppin' Man * Walking In A Line * The Maple Tree * Tell Me True * Turtle Dove * Black Haired Boy * Katy Allen * This White Circle On My Finger * Sawyer * Pretty Little Dreamer
© 2004 - Shaun Dale