Jessi Alexander – Honeysuckle Sweet
It’s easy to see why Nashville is somewhat abuzz over the arrival of Jessi Alexander. The 28-year-old Tennessee native is beautiful, has a strong, soulful voice, and writes much of her own material.
Much of Honeysuckle Sweet lives up to the hype. It’s easy to imagine some of these songs being played on country radio, and having a beneficial effect. And thanks to some echoes of Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac and Jackson Browne, the album may even have some crossover potential.
Alexander seems to write songs in thematic pairs (sometimes with the help of seasoned pros such as Al Anderson, Gary Louris, Benmont Tench and producer Gary Nicholson). The title track and “The Long Way” are reveries about the simple pleasure of years gone by — a slightly comic concept given Alexander’s age, but she sings them convincingly anyway.
“I’d Run Right Back To You” and “Reasons To Run” are less satisfying as they assay the cliched topic of a girl loving bad boys in spite of herself. Much better are “The World Is Crazy” and “Everywhere”, two ballads that serve as soothing balms in the post-9/11 world. The latter tune is particularly wrenching, as constant thoughts of a lost lover arise from small, everyday occurrences. Other standouts include the bright rocker “Can You Make It Feel Right” and the bluesy “Unfulfilled”, her strongest and most nuanced vocal performance on the album.