In a Nashville songwriting career that began in 1983, Irene Kelley has written songs for lots of Nashville leading lights. More recently, Irene Kelley has played the Grand Ole Opry. And now she's produced a CD that showcases both her songwriting talents and her delicate but powerful singing.

On "Simple Path," which is filled with songs touching on religion and beliefs (without being preachy) and spiritual strength, on the trials of love and on the simple pleasures and joys of the small things in one's personal life, Ms. Kelley comes across as a "listening room" singer who works in the sensitive, heartfelt vein on the quieter, folkier side of country songwriting. There is lots of female empowerment here. Ms. Kelley fits right into that niche that includes Claire Lynch, Kim Richey, Allison Moorer and other Nashville singer-songwriters who, while pitching their songs to the mainstream performers of the country music business, tend to come across in performance more as "Americana" artists than an as mainstream country performers. There is also a sincerity and clarity in Kelly's voice that reminds us of Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton.

Some of the songs on "Simple Path," all of which are co-authored with other well-known Nashville writers, are already familiar to those who follow Nashville's mainstream hit makers. Trisha Yearwood included Kelley's 'O Mexico' on her 1995 "Thinkin' About You" album and has included another of Kelley's tunes, 'Second Chance' (not on this album) on her newest release. Ms. Kelley has also had her songs recorded by Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White ('Love Can't Get Any Better Than This'), Rhonda Vincent, the Osborne Brothers, The Whites, Brother Phelps, and others. So she has more than established her Nashville songwriting bona fides.

Originally released independently before being picked up by Relentless/Nashville for national release, "Simple Path" is a very professional recording project. The sound quality is excellent, as are the simple arrangements. Producer Scott Neubert and Ms. Kelley deserve kudos for the way they've recorded and presented this music. Kelley is joined on the album by such Nashville Americana mainstays as Claire Lynch and Kim Richey on supporting vocals and by a highly competent group of musicians led by guitarist/ producer Scott Neubert.

The opening track and subject of a CMT video, 'A Little Bluer Than That,' with its tight harmonies on the choruses and a generous dose of country blueness, immediately reminded me of the massive Judds' hit from 1984, 'Why Not Me?' Co-written with Mark Irwin, this is a classic country song that demonstrates Ms. Kelley's considerable poetic abilities. It has mainstream country hit written all over.

Tonight if you turn your radio on
You might hear a sad, sad song
About someone who lost everything they had
It may sound like me
But I'm a little bluer than that

Many will be familiar with 'O Mexico,' the tender love song covered by Trisha Yearwood. Ms. Kelley gives it a very direct and sensitive treatment.

The Kelley/Jeff Hughes composition, 'Not So Different After All,' is another vintage Nashville country lyric that has serious mainstream country hit potential. Neubert's twangy electric guitar is perfect for this poppy song of hurt and self-examination.

Night and day, fire and ice
You cry your tears, I swallow mine
And if you believe that my heart can't pay the price
Maybe it's time you looked inside

'Scorns of Time,' authored with Claire Lynch, is one of those "you'd better have faith because we're all in this alone" philosophical musings that make for perfect country songwriting material.

And in my right hand I hold my sorrow
And with my left hand I reach for joy
We all are soldiers whether we fight or fall
No one can run from the scorns of time

Kelley continues with a deeply sensitive analysis of relationship problems, 'It Wasn't Me.' Written with Mark Irwin, this time the problem is that wrongs from a past relationship are spilling over into blame and conflict in a new relationship.

Somebody broke your heart and let you down
With empty promises and lies
I see it every time you come around
And I think it's time you realize
It wasn't me
That was long before my time
Lovin' you, boy, is my only crime
The pain you're holdin' on to
Is not my cross to bear
Now what's it gonna take to make you see
It wasn't me?

The Kim Richey co-write, 'Pilgrim In The Rain,' is the rockingest tune on the record and is similar to the sound Buddy Miller gets on many of his productions, particularly wife Julie Miller's records, with Neubert again shining on lead guitar.

Written with noted writer Darrell Scott, 'Constant State of Grace' focuses on a homeless woman who Kelley notes she often sees near where she lives.

She is standing in a constant state of grace
No shoes on her feet, no sorrow on her face
While the world just sees a vagabond who has lost the human race
She is standing in a constant state of grace

Ms. Kelley and co-writer Lynch find that Alison Krauss vibe and nail it on 'Jealousy.' Both of these women have the same angelic tone and pitch that has always made Ms. Krauss such a favorite. The track features some delicate interplay between ace fiddler Aubrey Haynie and mandolin player Brent Truitt.

While there is nothing new in the way of sound on 'Simple Path' and the songs are very much a part of the Nashville mainstream tradition, that very familiarity will certainly be part of the appeal that draws fans to this record. There is a warmth and sincerity about Ms. Kelley's performance and her lyrics that will be more than suitable for fans of quiet listening room Americana performers, and Ms. Kelley is backed by a band that is more than capable, that plays crisply and with a lot of finesse. Ms. Kelley has been selected by Trisha Yearwood to be the opening act on a number of Yearwood's tour dates this year, so with a doubt we'll be hearing lots more from Irene Kelley.

* Looking for a nice record to listen to with a bottle of good wine on those cold nights when a big fire is roaring in the fireplace? Check out Irene Kelley's 'Simple Path' at www.irenekelley.com

Contact William Michael Smith at: wms-at-rockzilla.net

 
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