Grey DeLisle – Bootlegger

Someone in your household may already be a fan of Grey DeLisle. As a voice-over actress, she’s a Saturday morning star, with roles in Rugrats, Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo and Flintstones episodes. She’s been Vicky on Nickelodeon’s “The Fairly Odd Parents” and Emily Elizabeth on PBS’s “Clifford The Big Red Dog”. Playstation2 aficionados know her as Firiona Vie in EverQuest. She released a CD, Homewrecker, on her own label last year and has signed with Sugar Hill for an early 2004 release.

You may also know her husband, Old 97’s bassist Murry Hammond, who plays with DeLisle as well. His work here is busier than strictly necessary, but includes enough good ideas to stand up to the foreground.

Bootlegger showcases the pair’s musical talents in a live environment, documenting a performance at the Scene in Glendale, California, with guitarist Willie Aron, drummer Perry Ostin and guitarist-mandolinist Marvin Etzioni (who also produced).

The set includes covers of Elvis’ “That’s Alright Mama”, the Carter Family’s “My Dixie Darling” and the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby”. DeLisle stretches the range with a Mexican standard, “Usted”, but the arrangement fits nicely within their club-rock repertoire slathered with blues influence.

Hammond shines on the record’s only vocal duet, “Showgirl”, but DeLisle’s vocals may be an acquired taste. She’s aiming for smoky 2 a.m. soul, but comes up a Saturday morning.