Songwriter Irene Kelley struck gold when her song, "A Little Bluer Than That," was recorded by Top Forty hard-country hero Alan Jackson, on his album Drive. The song is, quite simply, a perfectly crafted country sound -- no mama, no trucks or booze, or prison, but plenty of heartfelt simplicity, a good lyrical premise, and a strong, simple, irresistible melody. Kelley, who'd taken a quick whirl as a major label artist herself, went indie in the late 'Nineties, and has never looked back. Here's a quick look at the career of one of country/Americana's finest songwriters...
Irene Kelley "Simple Path" (Restless Records, 2001)
(Produced by Irene Kelley & Scott Neubert)
Songwriter Irene Kelley struck gold when her song, "A Little Bluer Than That," was recorded by Top 40 hard-country hero Alan Jackson, on his album Drive. That song, which opens this album as well, is a welcome throwback to the heartfelt simplicity of 'Fifties-style country heartsongs -- a good lyrical premise, a strong, simple, irresistible melody and nice, clean pickin' to back it up. She has some roots set down in the bluegrass scene as well; picker such as Aubrie Haynie and Viktor Krauss pitch in, and there are also a couple of songs co-written with Claire Lynch, one of the best trad-grassers around. Kelley's voice and her musical choices bring to mind alt.country female icons such as Iris DeMent, Nanci Griffith and Kelly Willis, although I'd hazard to guess that Kelley sees herself working more in a commercial, Top 40 vein, more as a composer than as a headliner act. Other songs on this album are more self-consciously and ostentatiously crafted, more in line with the overdoing-things style that's all the rage in Nashville; the other standout track is "Pilgrim In The Rain," a bouncy, anthemic upbeat number co-written with Kim Richey. I wouldn't say that the whole album bowled me over the same way "Bluer Than That" does, but she was certainly a strong performer and a songsmith to be reckoned with.
Irene Kelley "Thunderbird" (Irk Records, 2006)
(Produced by Irene Kelley, Scott Neubert & Tom Spaulding)
Irene Kelley "Pennsylvania Coal" (Patio Records, 2013)
Irene Kelley "These Hills" (Mountain Fever Records, 2016)
Irene Kelley "Benny's TV Repair" (Mountain Fever Records, 2019)
(Produced by Irene Kelley, Steve Chandler & Eddie Gore)
Irene Kelley "Snow White Memories" (Irk Records, 2023)
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