Suzy Elkins
Glass Slippers (Just Hurt My Feet)
Vertical
If Elkins’ music reminds you of Webb Wilder or Omar & The Howlers,
it’s no coincidence; they’re all part of the Mississippi/Austin axis,
and have overlapped bands and repertoires. This Hattiesburg,
Mississippi, native made her home in Austin for years, where she
co-led the rootsy eclectic Commandos with Gerry "Phareaux" Felton
and cut this powerhouse of material after that band’s breakup, in
1987 and ’88.
Elkins’ Southern-cured vocals are equally at home atop the jackhammer
riff of "Bad Attitude," the super-sonic rockabilly of "Too Fast" or
the spacey borderline-psychedelic "Milk and Honey." Here, she’s
backed by some old cohorts and some of Austin’s best hired guns,
including drummers Bobby Irwin (from Nick Lowe’s band), Joe Ely’s
Davis McLarty, and Double Trouble’s Chris Layton. Some of the guitar
highlights include the late Danny Thorpe’s big-toned lead on
"Bad Attitude" and electric 12-string on "Highway 90," David Grissom
most everywhere else (check out his snarl on "Get Lost"). Some ‘80s
production sensibilities creep in, like on "Pink Patio," which would
be a good candidate for the reunited Bangles.
The common thread running though most of the aforementioned names is
another Mississippi expatriate, R.S. Field, whose production and
songwriting credits include Wilder, Omar, Sonny Landreth, Los
Straitjackets, Buddy Guy, John Mayall, the Fabulous Thunderbirds,
Allison Moorer, and Billy Joe Shaver. Most of the songs here were
written by Field, Felton, and Elkins in some duo combination or all
together. This better-late-than-never is a welcome addition to the
resumes of all concerned.
Dan Forte