Review: Grey Delisle – The Grey Album
Grey DeLisle – The Grey Album
Format CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Hummin’ Bird – Continental Record Services
Release: 2025
Text: Bert van Kessel
https://continentalrecordservices.bandcamp.com/album/the-grey-album
After a long hiatus Grey Delisle has returned on the scene more productive than ever, with her third album in two years’ time. This latest one includes no fewer than 20 tracks. So after ‘The White Album’ and ‘The Black Album’ we now have ‘The Grey Album,’ which is impressive but I doubt that it will reach a similar iconic status.
Helped out by renowned producer Marvin Etzioni there are two sides to this album. Many tracks are pure country, inspired by Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton. The other tracks are more diverse, enabling Grey Delisle to display her more rocking side. Grey DeLisle, born Van Oosbree, but also known as Grey Griffin, is not only a superb country singer but she is also a renowned voice actor and you will have heard her voice in numerous animated movies.
The opening track Hello, I’m Lonesome is reminiscent of Loretta Lynn, which is accentuated by a plaintive pedal steel from Greg Leisz, who plays a prominent role throughout the album. Who To Love is 60s R & B with Grey sharp and outspoken. The slow and intimate A Coastal Town has subtle string arrangements by Tammy Rogers.
The cheerful, radio-friendly Reach For The Sky has a Sheryl Crow-vibe and Mi Vida has Tish Hinojosa written all over it, with captivating trumpets. Prize number #1 is the emotional and greatly sung Tomorrow (Without You). It is followed by the aggressively rocking Sister Shook, The rocker 40 Something Runaway has powerful vocals, even strengthened by original Runaway Cherie Currie. The sensitive Daddy Can You Fix a Broken Heart might well be Dolly addressing her dad plaintively. It’s pure heartbreak country music in A Promise I Can’t Keep. Etzioni shines on electric guitar in Didn’t We Try. With Long Ryder Stephen McCarthy on board the track successfully takes us back to Maria McKee’s Lone Justice.
Etzioni wrote Convince Me for Roy Orbison who died unexpectedly before he could record it. It’s easy to imagine Roy shining on this great song. And so does Grey; from the Big O tot he Big D, how hard can it be? We hear a more aggressive Grey in I Can’t Be Kind: ”I’m a mean ole mama”, she spits out viciously. Marvin Etzioni emphasizes that statement with some mean electric guitar. In the hardcore country track House On Fire Grey’s vocals are at her most convincing and seductive; how could a man resist?
The pure country songs alternate very nicely with the more rocking tracks, thus creating a very interesting and highly enjoyable listening experience.
And…, Grey and her band will be touring The Netherlands in June. Don’t miss out!
Tracks:
01. Hello, I’m Lonesome
02. Who to Love
03. A Coastal Town
04. Reach for the Sky
05. Mi Vida
06. Tomorrow (Without You)
07. Sister Shook
08. Daddy, Can You Fix a Broken Heart?
09. 40 Something Runaway
10. A Promise I Can’t Keep
11. Didn’t We Try
12. Convince Me
13. I’m a Wreck
14. Don’t Let Go of My Hand
15. I Can’t Be Kind
16. My Darlin’ Vivian
17. The Last, Last Time
18. House on Fire
19. Take Me Dancing Again
20. Red Dress
Website: https://www.greydelislegriffin.com/
Tour:
June 2025
Di 17 Alkmaar Podium Victorie
Wo 18 Heerlen PLT Theater
Do 19 Nijmegen Thiemeloods
Vr 20 Hengelo Metropool
Za 21 Utrecht TivoliVredenburg
Zo 22 Den Bosch Tuinsessies (middag)
Ma 23 Amsterdam Paradiso
Vr 27 Leeuwarden Neushoorn
Za 28 Harderwijk Stad Als Podium (festival)