For those unaware, vocalist and songwriter Julie Christensen has had a long connection to the work of Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon.

Having built her career forging connections through song, including stints as Leonard Cohen’s backing vocalist, Christensen knows the value of a sticky melody and well-crafted lyrics.

Christensen and her band, Stone Cupid, recorded Gordon’s Saint on a Chain for their 2016 album, The Cardinal, but during lockdown in 2020, she decided someone ought to record an entire collection of the Louisiana native’s songs.

Thus, Christensen’s tribute to East Nashville songwriter Kevin Gordon entitled 11 From Kevin: Songs of Kevin Gordon is releasing January 21st, 2021 via WireBird Records.

1. Find My Way
2. Crowville
3. Fire At The End Of The World
4. Joey and Clara
5. Gloryland
6. Heart’s Not In It / Down To The Well
7. Jimmy Reed Is The King Of Rock n’ Roll
8. Gatling Gun
9. Following A Sign
10. Goodnight Brownie Ford
11. Rest Your Head

This brilliantly crafted and abundantly heartfelt new album opens on the throaty foot-tapper Find My Way and the countrified Crowville and lovingly backs those up with the rustic Americana feel of Fire At The End Of The World, the steel guitar twang lays lovingly on Joey and Clara and then a tale of indictment of false prophets is brought forth on the forthright storytelling of Gloryland and then we get a unique pairing in the lonesome ode and the merciful rocker both found within the mini medley Heart’s Not In It / Down To The Well.

This eclectic and soulful album continues onward with a track sure to appease the Iowa contingent, the wrenching Jimmy Reed Is The King Of Rock n’ Roll and the methodical foot-tapper Gatling Gun which are in turn backed by the ode to a wandering faith healer on the complete-with-Calexico-style-horn enriched Following A Sign, the album rounding out on the roots-oriented storytelling of Goodnight Brownie Ford, elegantly closing on the troubadour-imbibed Rest Your Head

“I don’t pretend to be able to write a whole album of good songs at a time,” Christensen says. “I’m really inspired by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Ely and others who’ve made their names picking great songs by friends and songwriters others might not know, as if they’re saying, ‘I’ve gotta let you in on this secret.’”

“Since I have a voice, I’m going to sing it.”

And, as we all know now, that very same voice has earnt her induction into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as a long list of admiring peers and collaborators.

Brandon Teskey @ Facebook