Elana James - Elana James

Elana James was the driving force behind retro western swing outift the Hot Club of Cowtown before breaking free to pursue a solo career. Elana's self-titled debut album picks up the western swing and jazz themes of the Hot Club to provide an old-time feel with appalachian strains mixed in with the swinging tunes and high-tempo Grapelli-like fiddle work.

There is plenty of instrumental interplay, with Texas Playboy Johnny Gimble guesting on one track. However, Elana's dusky vocals are probably best suited to the slower numbers, a cover of Dylan's One More Night being a case in point.

• Twenty-Four Hours a Day
• One More Night
• Oh, Baby
• Goodbye, Liza Jane
• All the World and I
• Run Away with Me
• Eva's Waltz
• Down the Line
• I Got it Bad (And That Ain't Good)
• Silver Bells
• The Little Green Valley
• Memories of You
• I Don't Mind