Rickie Lee Jones - Ghostyhead (Remastered) (2022) [Hi-Res]

"Ghostyhead" is the seventh studio album by the artist Rickie Lee Jones. It was released in 1997.

Not since Billie Holiday has there been a vocalist who so completely transforms a song into her own. On "It's Like This", eclectic folkie Rickie Lee Jones envelops standards, showtunes, '70s soul, and even slick jazz-rock, interpreting them with her familiar childlike, breathy shouts. In a very similar vein as 1991's Pop Pop, Jones pulls together a collection of diverse songs from throughout the 20th century and gives them a sparse, fragile spin, kind of like Diana Krall and Bjork sharing coffee at an all-night diner. Produced by Bruce Brody (who has also worked with Maria McKee and Bette Midler), this album is really a showcase for the dynamic vocalist - her voice pitching and yawing like a sloop far out at sea. Several notable artists scatter themselves unobtrusively throughout the album like Joe Jackson, Ben Folds, John Pizzarelli, and Taj Mahal; each lend a subtle bass line or harmony vocal, cautiously not stepping on any of Jones' delicate lines.

"Not a late-to-the party attempt to revitavlize her sound, Rickie Lee Jones acknowledges the fact that trip-hop is a natural medium for her stripe of boho beatnik in the late 1990s. Intriguing, late-night stuff delivered with style and wit on standouts like "Scary Chinese Movie" and "Little Yellow Town." The lyrics are the make-or-break proposition, but you'll have to go to her web site to find 'em." (Jeff Bateman)

"Ghostyhead finds Rickie Lee Jones in the odd position of following a younger generation, as its languid trip-hop beats suggest that she has been listening to Portishead, Tricky, and Beth Orton. It is certainly a precarious situation, since she could seem out of touch and old-fashioned, but it is a makeover she pulls off surprisingly well. Jones tends to follow the trippy, free-form structures of trip-hop, which means the melodies occasionally meander and the lyrics are more impressionistic than usual, concentrating on the overall effect instead of the details. There are still more solidly constructed songs than atmospheric instrumentals, which gives the album an anchor, making the electronic echoes and rolling beats all the more effective. Although the songs aren't among Jones' best, the musical adventurousness of Ghostyhead -- which manages to be contemporary without sacrificing her style -- makes the album a revitalization of sorts." (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG)

Rickie Lee Jones, vocals, guitar, bass, percussion, organ, piano
Rick Boston, guitar, bass, percussion, organ, piano, loops, programming
Boss Doctor, additional programming
Robert Devery, rhythm, Korg
John Leftwich, upright bass on "Howard"
Gerri Sutyak, cello on "Firewalker"
David Zeller, sheet metal
Josh Freese, live drums
Ayin Es, live drums
Ronnie Ciago, live drums
Lee Cantelon, backward guitar on "Matters"
Janeen Rae Heller, saw on "Ghostyhead"

Digitally remastered