On her debut disc, The Ghost Who Walks, Karen Elson spins intriguingly unsettling tales of lost love, dashed hope, romantic betrayal and various crimes of passion witnessed only by the full moon. Until now, the British-bor... more »n Elson has been better known as a top model. The arrangements for her small band featuring the virtuosic Jackson Smith on guitar, Elson's longtime collaborator Rachelle Garniez on accordion and vocals, and husband-producer Jack White on drums.« less
On her debut disc, The Ghost Who Walks, Karen Elson spins intriguingly unsettling tales of lost love, dashed hope, romantic betrayal and various crimes of passion witnessed only by the full moon. Until now, the British-born Elson has been better known as a top model. The arrangements for her small band featuring the virtuosic Jackson Smith on guitar, Elson's longtime collaborator Rachelle Garniez on accordion and vocals, and husband-producer Jack White on drums.
CD Reviews
A delight!
Shawn | Vancouver, BC | 05/25/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While this will get all sorts of attention for who she is and who she is married to, none of that matters because the album and songs stand on their own as instant classics. I feel like I could be listening to an album of standards by Gershwin, Cole Porter, or Rogers and Hart. I'm reminded a bit of Neko Case's country-fried tales; and Mrs. Elson's voice makes me think of the gals in the band Tilly and the Wall and occasionally even of Mama Cass Elliot with slightly less OOOOMPH! Just a positively delightful listen."
Top 5 Album in the Last Decade
Cliff Sizemore | 06/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this album and was absolutely blown away with it. I was expecting to hear a solid album after hearing a snippet of the title track, and mainly decided to give it a shot because I'm a big Jack White fan.
Karen's voice is amazing and the song writing is astounding for a first effort. Combine this with the band of musicians she and Jack put together and you get one of the top 5 albums of the new millennium.
The title track "The Ghost Who Walks" is one of the strongest along with the closing track, "Mouths to Feed". The passion and intensity is fully evident in these two gems, but there is not a weak track to be found. The feel of the album is a alt/goth/country mix, and reminds me somewhat of some of Mark Lanegan's solo albums such as Field Songs and Whiskey for the Holy Ghost.
The only negative thing I could muster after listening to this album for 4 days straight is wondering how she'll ever top her debut- not a bad problem to have. Get this disc, it is a must have."
Un álbum que refresca y encanta
Henry Flores Ramos | 06/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"este álbum refresca en sus formas country, folk, blues y hasta soul.
Muy Bueno."
Phenomenal!
T. E. Needham | Mount Juliet, TN United States | 05/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Five stars really isn't enough... Her voice is timeless, her writing is fantastic... The backing band consists of some of the finest musicians of our time.
You are depriving yourself of some of the finest music of this generation by NOT listening.
Catch her live if the chance arrises, you'll thank me later!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1