Country for True Lovers

On her fourth album, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell takes a detour from her stylish neo-lounge sound and makes an excursion into country music. For years, she has included country songs in her performances, and now she's put those show-stoppers on disc. Country For True Lovers, originally released in February 2003, features eight of Eleni's original songs, as well as four gems gleaned from the repertoires of Merle Haggard, Irma Thomas, Tammy Wynette and Bob Dylan. Produced by the ace Los Angeles guitarist Tony Gilkyson (formerly of X), this gorgeously textured recording features a voice that has the purity and spunk of Patsy Cline and songs that have the melodic catchiness and emotional directness of the best country songs.