CD Review: Ollabelle

By Aaron Davis (for Jackson Hole Weekly, JHWeekly.com)Neon Blue Bird OLLABELLE (4 of 5 stars)This album kicks ass—one of my favorites of the year and I’ve only listened to it twice. Produced by Ollabelle and recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, Neon Blue Bird is the band’s fourth release and third studio effort. Nevermind that Amy Helm is a legacy of The Band (one of favorites), the vibe here brings to mind Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and early Bonnie Raitt. Evidently, this two female/three male band started out as a gospel-folk group. Now add soul grooves and R&B grit to the rich harmonies and you get what acoustic-electric roots-rock is all about.Whether arranging soft balladry or a multi-layered rocker, the album is so cohesive that it would be shortsighted to single out a few here. For those of you keeping score, there are 11 tracks—five originals, two traditionals, and the rest covers by Paul Kelly, Chris Whitley, and Stephen Foster. The only mark that was half missed is an unmemorable version of Taj Mahal’s “Lovin’ in my Baby’s Eyes.”tags: jackson hole music band songwriter nightlife wyoming center arts photographer musician planet teton venues