Out of the Ashes (Jessi Colter album)
Encyclopedia
Out of the Ashes is the twelfth studio album by American country music
artist, Jessi Colter
. The album was released February 28, 2006 on Shout! Factory Records
. It was Colter's first album in ten years and her first country music album in twenty two years, since 1984's Rock and Roll Lullaby
. It was also her first release since 1981 to chart on the Top Country Albums chart, where it reached #61. It was the first album by Colter to be released following the death of her husband and country artist, Waylon Jennings
. The title of the album, Out of the Ashes, explains the message that she has remained an artist without the help of Jennings.
, blues, gospel
, and rock
. The album was produced by Don Was
, who had previously worked with The Rolling Stones
and Bob Dylan
. The release includes guest appearances from son Shooter Jennings
and Tony Joe White
. It also includes an unreleased song Colter collaborated on with Jennings in the late 1980s called "Out of the Rain." Before recording the album, Colter specifically went to Don Was with a few songs she had written and asked him what he thought. After telling Colter he was unsure about the songs, she returned to Was with more songs and shortly afterwards, they recorded the album. Six of the songs were written entirely by Colter, four were co-written by her, and two were cover versions of songs: the Gospel song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow
" and Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women No. 12 and 35."
Kathy Coleman of about.com
gave Out of the Ashes three and a half out of five stars. Even though the album was given a fairly average rating compared to allmusic's, Coleman gave the release positive feedback instead of constructive criticism. Coleman explained how the release of the album helped Colter overcome Jennings's death, emerging her "from grief into a renewed life." Coleman called the track, "The Phoenix Rises" to sound like, "Jessi does indeed rise like the Phoenix from the ashes." She later summarized the album, stating, "Out of the Ashes is a beautiful record, and a new classic by a true legend."
Entertainment Weekly
also reviewed the album. Unlike other websites, music reviewer, Marc Weingarten criticized Out of the Ashes, calling the album to, "sound more like something Rick Rubin
might have worked on." Weingarten explained that he felt Colter's "70s sass is gone" and is instead replaced by, "a voice that sounds cured in gospel and cigarettes." Although he did criticize the release, Weingarten found her songwriting skills to be "still intact" for writing "bluesy" and "bittersweet" material.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist, Jessi Colter
Jessi Colter
Jessi Colter is an American country music artist who is best known for her collaboration with her husband, country singer and songwriter Waylon Jennings and for her 1975 country-pop crossover hit "I'm Not Lisa"....
. The album was released February 28, 2006 on Shout! Factory Records
Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
. It was Colter's first album in ten years and her first country music album in twenty two years, since 1984's Rock and Roll Lullaby
Rock and Roll Lullaby
Rock and Roll Lullaby is a studio album by American country music artist, Jessi Colter. It was released in 1984 off of Triad Records, Colter's first and only release for the label.-Background:...
. It was also her first release since 1981 to chart on the Top Country Albums chart, where it reached #61. It was the first album by Colter to be released following the death of her husband and country artist, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
. The title of the album, Out of the Ashes, explains the message that she has remained an artist without the help of Jennings.
Content
Out of the Ashes consisted of twelve tracks that mixed the genres of countryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, blues, gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. The album was produced by Don Was
Don Was
Don Was is an American musician, bassist and record producer.-Life and career:Was was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Oak Park High School in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but dropped out after the first year...
, who had previously worked with The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. The release includes guest appearances from son Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings
Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American singer-songwriter active in the country music and Southern rock genres as well as making his first foray into psychedelic rock in 2009...
and Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie"; "Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970; and "Steamy Windows", a hit for Tina Turner in 1989...
. It also includes an unreleased song Colter collaborated on with Jennings in the late 1980s called "Out of the Rain." Before recording the album, Colter specifically went to Don Was with a few songs she had written and asked him what he thought. After telling Colter he was unsure about the songs, she returned to Was with more songs and shortly afterwards, they recorded the album. Six of the songs were written entirely by Colter, four were co-written by her, and two were cover versions of songs: the Gospel song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow
His Eye is on the Sparrow
"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...
" and Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women No. 12 and 35."
Critical reception
Allmusic critic, Thom Jurek gave Out of the Ashes a positive review, giving it four out of five stars. Jurek praised the album overall, stating, "Out of the Ashes is a great reflection of the music's tradition, from church pew to the barrom to the lovers' bedroom." Jurek also went on to say, "It is -- after all this time, and six previously celebrated offerings -- the record Colter has been waiting to make all her life and better than anyone ever had any right to expect."Kathy Coleman of about.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
gave Out of the Ashes three and a half out of five stars. Even though the album was given a fairly average rating compared to allmusic's, Coleman gave the release positive feedback instead of constructive criticism. Coleman explained how the release of the album helped Colter overcome Jennings's death, emerging her "from grief into a renewed life." Coleman called the track, "The Phoenix Rises" to sound like, "Jessi does indeed rise like the Phoenix from the ashes." She later summarized the album, stating, "Out of the Ashes is a beautiful record, and a new classic by a true legend."
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
also reviewed the album. Unlike other websites, music reviewer, Marc Weingarten criticized Out of the Ashes, calling the album to, "sound more like something Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
might have worked on." Weingarten explained that he felt Colter's "70s sass is gone" and is instead replaced by, "a voice that sounds cured in gospel and cigarettes." Although he did criticize the release, Weingarten found her songwriting skills to be "still intact" for writing "bluesy" and "bittersweet" material.
Track listing
All songs composed by Jessi Colter, except where noted.- "His Eye is on the SparrowHis Eye is on the Sparrow"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...
" — 3:58 (Civilla D. MartinCivilla D. MartinCivilla Durfee Martin was a Canadian-American writer of many religious hymns and gospel songs in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Her husband, Walter Stillman Martin , studied ministry at Harvard University, where he became a Baptist minister but later switched to the Disciples of...
, Charles H. GabrielCharles H. GabrielCharles Hutchinson Gabriel was a writer of gospel songs and composer of gospel tunes. He is said to have written and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs, many of which are available in 21st century hymnals. He used several pseudonyms, including Charlotte G. Homer, H. A. Henry, and S. B...
) - "You Can Pick 'Em" — 4:09 (Colter, Ray Herndon)
- "Starman" — 4:23
- "The Phoenix Rises" — 4:38
- "Out of the Rain" — 4:47 (Tony Joe WhiteTony Joe WhiteTony Joe White is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie"; "Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970; and "Steamy Windows", a hit for Tina Turner in 1989...
)- featuring Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Shooter JenningsShooter JenningsWaylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American singer-songwriter active in the country music and Southern rock genres as well as making his first foray into psychedelic rock in 2009...
, Tony Joe White, and the Greater Apostolic Christ Temple Choir
- featuring Waylon Jennings
- "Velvet and Steel" — 4:46
- "Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35" — 4:27 (Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
) - "You Took Me by Surprise" — 4:37
- "So Many Things" — 2:57
- "The Canyon" — 4:20
- "Never Got Over You" — 3:55 (Colter, Herndon)
- "Please Carry Me Home" — 5:51 (Colter, Shooter Jennings)
- with Shooter Jennings
Personnel
- Richie Albright — percussion, drums
- Mike Breen — engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
- Jerry Bridges — bassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
- Alan Cartee — engineer
- Jessi Colter — pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, arranger, wurlitzerWurlitzerThe Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes.... - Steve Crowder — engineer
- Greater Apostolic Christ Temple Choir — background vocals (track 5)
- Jeff Hale — drums
- Ray Herndon — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, background vocals - Jim HornJim HornJim Horn is an American saxophonist and woodwind player. He was born in Los Angeles, and after replacing saxophonist Steve Douglas in 1959, he toured with member Duane Eddy for five years, playing sax and flute on the road, and in the recording studio...
— saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Shooter Jennings — background vocals, drums, producer
- Waylon Jennings — background vocals, guitar (track 5)
- Kurt Johnson — harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
- Ray KennedyRay KennedyRaymond Kennedy is an English former football player who won every domestic honour in the game with Arsenal and Liverpool in the 1970s...
— bass, organ, percussion - Jeff Palo — producer
- Barny Robertson — bass, drums, engineer, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Carter Robertson — background vocals
- Robby Turner — dobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
, pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"... - Don Was — producer, upright bass
- Tony Joe White — background vocals, guitar
- Jenny Lynn Young — celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
- Reggie Young — electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
Chart performance
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 61 |