Eilen Jewell
Boundary County
© 2006 Eilen Jewell (783707299808)
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Features thirteen original compositions woven together with threads of loneliness, homesickness, regret, sinning, traveling, dreaming, hope, and redemption.
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Eilen Jewell’s love of music began on a 1500-mile family road trip from Anchorage, Alaska to her hometown of Boise, Idaho. Bundling his wife, daughter, week-old son, and husky dog into the family Volvo, Eilen’s father (a tree farmer from a long line of Idahoans) put on a tape of Beethoven’s piano sonatas and seven year-old Eilen was so fascinated, she begged her parents to let her take piano lessons when they got back to Boise. And the 26 year-old has been plunging headlong into anything and everything musical ever since. At 14, she dug her parents’ old records out of storage, a discovery which led her to pick up her first guitar. Her favorites from those dusty old boxes were Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home and a Sun Records Howling Wolf album. These discoveries eventually led the quiet teenager to the music of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday who, along with Dylan and Howling Wolf, remain her biggest influences today.
Five years later, at only 19, Eilen began performing at farmer’s markets and local bars in Santa Fe, New Mexico (as a college student at St. John’s), before moving to Los Angeles, where she became a fixture in the Venice Beach street-performance circuit. After her time there had run its course, Eilen journeyed across the country to New England in January, 2003. She settled briefly in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and got her start at the legendary Club Helsinki, first performing at the club’s open mic, but quickly graduating to opening sets for esteemed artists such as Geoff Muldaur. Before leaving the Berkshires, Eilen recorded her first demo, One of Those Days, a solo effort containing sparse arrangements of originals and covers such as the old blues standard “Nobody’s Business,” (made popular by artists like Mississippi John Hurt, Bessie Smith, and Big Bill Broonzy). It showcased not only Eilen’s quietly adept guitar picking and lush, relaxed voice, but a beyond-her-years understanding of (and ability to write in) old country blues form and style—a style that fits her as appropriately and comfortably as a worn old glove.
Eilen began to attend old-time music jams near Boston, where she met drummer Jason Beek and harmonica player PJ Eastman. Seeing that Boston had a lot to offer musically, Eilen moved there in late Fall of 2003 and was quickly welcomed into the famous and still vibrant community of folk and roots musicians. Performing with bands as well as solo, she cut her teeth first at venues like Club Passim, Plough and Stars and Johnny D’s. Eilen learned some of her first lessons about the music business from veteran bass player and band-mate Paul Strother (Rounder Records’ Chicken Chokers). PJ Eastman provided powerful blues harmonica for Eilen while Strother and Beek laid down her rhythm section. During this time she released a live demo to sell at shows and nearly recorded a full album. However, the master for that album, as well as the entire studio where it was recorded, perished in a fire.
The loss of this album opened Eilen’s eyes to the need for a new musical direction. She then put her energy towards the making of the live demo Nowhere in No Time—a very sparse-sounding, live demo with Jason Beek on drums and Daniel Kellar on violin. This album was released on a very limited basis in March, 2005. Also at this time, Eilen began what has become a very successful, early Saturday evening residency at Tir na nOg pub in Somerville, Massachusetts through today. Eilen has enjoyed an incredible amount of support from venue owners Robert Elliott and Fergal O’Toole. Tir na nOg is the perfect marriage of a listening room environment and friendly Irish pub. Playing every week at the nOg, in addition to monthly appearances at local and regional venues, Eilen has begun to settle on a consistent line-up of band members. They include Daniel Kellar, Jason Beek and upright bass player Johnny Sciasica.
In December, 2005, confident about the material and the players she wanted to record with, Eilen entered Chris Rival’s renovated, 19th century barn/studio to record Boundary County. Two days of recording, days of mixing and mastering and months of artistic decisions later, Boundary County is ready for you to hear. This album is the best representation of Eilen Jewell’s music to date. Enjoy…
reviews
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Boundary County
author: christie barnesI can't believe how much I have listened and enjoyed this cd!! The Flood has got to be the most moving song on this cd. My family is from Louisianna so it really touched me. If you havenot had the pleasure to enjoy this artist, please do so!! You will not be sorry!!
From Australia
author: Don FraserGreat disc, along with Sinners and Strangers. These two have to be the best first and second discs from anyone in years. Sharp lyrics, beautiful playing, and a gorgeous voice.
Boundary County
author: jeannette greggWe had to hunt to get Eilen Jewell's CD after my husband heard her on Mountain Stage on NPR. HE HAS NEVER LIKED A SINGER WELL ENOUGH TO HUNT FOR THEIR CD. She is terrific and we want MORE! Thanks.
Boundary County
author: Phil RichardsEilen Jewell is a unique talent, with her heart and soul somewhere in the backwoods of 1930s Americana, whilst she communicates meaningfully with the modern world. There is no attempt here to perform in a deliberately 'old-timey' style, but there is no denying that she has a deep and genuine feel for past musical values. Lyrically this album might be considered sad in the extreme, but it is saved by being incredibly well written, and musically competent. This is one to play over and over again - Eilen Jewell has a voice and style to die for, her band are superb and production values are excellent too. Bettered only by her subsequent release 'Letters From Sinners & Strangers'. Buy 'em both now!
Sublime
author: Oldrik ScholzThere isn't much I could add to what's been said already but here are some more stars for the finest album I've been listening to in a while. These songs make you feel like in another place.
Very Soulful
author: Jennifer MewhineyHeard it in a little place I was having lunch in and asked the girl behind the counter if they sold the c.d. she said no and gave me the info so that i could order it! So I did! She also said that many people had asked for the artists info. Doesn't surprise me :) Love it!
I love her music.
author: GeorgieI first heard Eilen on XM12 and love her music. I have been looking everywhere to find this CD in stores with no luck. Please make it available in local music stores in New Hampshire.
- author: Collected Sounds
Eilen Jewell's voice reminds me of Norah Jones' more countrified works. This is very comforting and soothing. Lovely. The feel is sort of dirgy, back porch, lemonade sippin', goodness. Maybe it's the banjo, maybe it's the minor chords. Maybe it's that great voice. I don't know, but I'm hooked.
- author: Shelah Norman
Loved this CD! and... every track is great. I have been recommending it to all my friends.
mellow with a social mesage
author: maureen coopergreat cd! brings back memories of the 60's folk/protest songs. Loved The Flood. Eilen Jewell is so easy to listen to!
An absolute must buy!
author: Patrick HurleyDon't hesitate to buy this CD if you are a fan of acoustic Americana music. There has not a female Americana songwriter CD as good as this early Lucinda Williams.
in short-- makes me want to sing, shake, rattle & roll!
author: Lisa, Beautiful Texas Hill CountryI heard this for the first time on the radio, K- Fan, Texas Rebel Radio, here in the Texas Hill Country! I think it is absolutely wonderful...it is on my Christmas wish list as a MUST have present...for me! Beautiful lyrics, voice, everything! I highly recommend this cd, if you like Americana music, & the likes of Lucinda,...you'll love this! I hope Santa is good to me & brings it to me, & I will listen to it over & over & over! Awesome! I loved every song! My personal favorite is Mess Around!
Beautiful voice. Great songs and lyrics.
author: Craig HunterEilen has a sultry, mature voice. I love this new (for me) singer-songwriter. The lyrics are killer. Criticism? I would love for her to add a little tempo and to show off the limits of that beautiful voice even more.
I,LOVE THE ALBUM
author: MR.NWUNNE JOSHUATHE CD IS NICE. BUT HOW CAN I RECEIVE IT. THAKS NWNNE JOSHUA
i'm in love.
author: petewell, she's got the most beautiful voice i've ever heard... and i cant wait to hear more. all of her songs make you wish they never ended. in fact, i've even grown to like the one song i thought didnt really fit in on the album, but only because it was a little more blunt and a little less poetic, the one about katrina. looking forward to your next album! when are you going to be on the radio here in california?
I love this album
author: ChloeThis album is simply beautiful. It has the dual ability to serve as music that makes you happy when you want it to, or to allow for cathartic sad moments if that's what you need, (helpful for when you're driving by yourself at night.) Basically, it's great. Eilen has such a beautiful voice that you want to hear it all the time. So there. Tra la.