By Emily Senger
Julie Lee isn’t like other country singers. Amidst the slew of radio-friendly, pop-infused country permeating the airways, Julie Lee has managed to create a debut CD true to her country, bluegrass and gospel roots. Fitting itself somewhere between Alison Krauss, who adds some beautiful harmonies to the songs Many Waters and Beautiful Night, and the Home-era Dixie Chicks, Stillhouse Road blends bluegrass and gospel with crooning vocals resulting in a pleasant change for country fans sick of Shania.
While the lyrics such as “Jesus he’s my man/Brought me up out of the pit/And made my feet to stand,” on “He’s my Man” may scare away all but the most devout of Christians, other tracks like “Made from Scratch,” are a refreshing change from the typical “he loved me and left me” country pitfall.
The intricate harmonies of Stillhouse Road, and the combination of bluegrass instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, slide guitar, bass, mandolin and dobro, create a widely-pleasing album sure to leave listeners eagerly awaiting Lee’s next release.