It's a Shame About Gemma Ray

Editors’ Notes

This collection of covers from Gemma Ray, recorded over several days, recasts the tunes with brilliant new insights. The slide guitars that solely line the stalking noir of Gallon Drunk’s “Put The Bolt In the Door,” the harmonies that reinforce the menace of Lee Hazlewood’s “I’d Rather Be Your Enemy,” the slow blues that overrides Mudhoney’s “Touch Me, I’m Sick” all make for a spooky collection where Ray’s previous retro-soul is put aside for the B-movie impact of this rudimentary collection. “Rosemary’s Baby vs. Drunken Butterfly” may be the album’s most technically accurate and descriptive title. Buddy Holly’s “Everyday” transforms from a giddy little pop number into a heartbroken ballad with the slightest of help from percussionist Matt Verta-Ray. The album is a transfixing piece of lo-fi majesty where every tune is turned into a dark ride into the eternal night of the blues. Alex Harvey’s “Swampsnake” kicks into overdrive, while tunes such as “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “I’m Gonna Lock My Heart” sound less like pleas than threats.