Katey Sagal: Covered
Katey Sagal
Covered
(eOne Music)
Itâs been nearly a decade since Katey Sagal (yes that Katey Sagal) has released an album. And though these days the lady is best known for her role on Sons of Anarchy (and before that her stint as Mrs. Al Bundy), Katey has bounced about a wee bit in the music business (to put it mildly). Sheâs released two full solo albums, sung background for Dylan, Etta James and most infamously was one of Bette Midlerâs Harlettes backing female vocalists.
Kateyâs new 10-song almost all covers album, Covered, opens with a tight drum machine and the ladyâs breathy, almost-ready-to-break voice on a re-imagined âFree Fallinââ by Tom Petty. The song opens up nicely as we get a good rockinâ lead from Lyle Workman and Katey uses the full range of her impressive pipes near the end. She rolls her pretty vocal around a sweet and desperate read of Jackson Browneâs âFor A Dancerâ and actually duets with Browne on a fantastic cover of Steve Earleâs âGoodbyeâ with some great Spanish-influenced background from her cracker jack Forest Rangers band.
Greg Leisz’ pedal steel is perfect on Ryan Adams âI Love You But I Donât Know What To Sayâ as is John Philip Shenaleâs piano. We get out of the country with a more AOR-sounding âGonna Take A Miracleâ and the cover of Laura Nyroâs âMiracleâ features more superior piano work, while Ray LaMontagneâs âRoses And Cigarettesâ ends this set perfectly, the band laying down a deep atmosphere and Katyâs breathy vocal informing in a neo-country vibe.
Covered is a damned solid music offering from a woman we might not be so familiar with as a singer/songwriter.