Stream: Leslie Stevens, ’12 Feet High’

Kevin Bronson on June 21st, 2019

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Leslie Stevens traversed a long and winding road that will lead to the release of her album, “Sinner.” It’s one of two albums the Americana darling had on the shelf for some years. The first, produced by the Milk Carton Kids’ Kenneth Pattengale, was “The Donkey and the Rose,” which was released in 2016. “Sinner,” produced by Jonathan Wilson, comes out Aug. 23.

She talked about the old/new work in this 2016 interview, but the point is that “Sinner” should elevate her profile as one of the finest country singers around — an opinion long held by the stalwarts in the L.A. Americana scene, not to mention most anybody else who’s heard her voice.

“I have always written songs to help me heal and to help me cry and laugh,” Stevens says of the tunes on “Sinner.” “Many people don’t like tears — they are afraid of pain, they want to walk away. … When after I play someone says ‘You are the most vulnerable,’ I consider it the biggest compliment. Still, it means cracking my heart open like an egg at every show.”

This album features the St. Louis native backed by an all-star cast. Besides Wilson, James Gadson (Paul McCartney, B.B. King) mans the drums, Jake Blanton (The Killers) plays bass, Keefus Ciancia (Elton John, T Bone Burnett) is on piano and Nate Walcott (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bright Eyes) contributes organ. Jenny O chips in with guest vocals on “Sylvie.”

||| Stream: “12 Feet High”