Lee Hazlewood RIP

The great songwriter and baritone voiced country and pop singer Lee Hazlewood died over the weekend, after his long battle with cancer. He allowed everyone the opportunity to write an obituary early for him, releasing his terminal album Cake or Death late last year, of which I already wrote fondly.

Song: "Some Velvet Morning" - by Lee Hazlewood w/ his grandaughter Phaedra

When I first heard this recent rendition of Hazlewood's classic duet with Nancy Sinatra early this year, it brought a flood of emotion that I wasn't prepared for. Couple the knowledge of Hazlewood's impending death with young Phaedra thinking that her grandfather wrote the song for her, and you have experience and innocence rubbing elbows (while tickling my spine.)

Previously: Let him eat cake (Cake or Death review), And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra (Hazlewood/Sinatra)

Let him eat cake

Lee Hazlewood is dying... but he doesn't want your pity.

Diagnosed with terminal cancer, the cult icon set to record this farewell album, Cake or Death, but like the rest of his career, it had to be done his way. No fancy schmancy cameos, just good friends of no importance to the industry. For "She's Gonna Break Some Heart Tonight," he had his friend Tommy Parsons sing the whole song, to pay the debt of 'saving his life.' And in one of the most touching music moments, Hazlewood's 8-year old grandaughter Phaedra sings "Some Velvet Morning," the song from which she got her name. Of course, she thinks the song's written for her, and can't withhold the joy of that notion (even ends with a "peace out."

Album: Lee Hazlewood - Cake or Death

The only big name sitting in here is Duane Eddy on guitar for Hazlewood's take on his old original song "Boots," which eventually became the hit "These Boots are Made For Walking" for Nancy Sinatra, the first of many between the pair. Hazlewood helped produced and co-wrote some of Eddy's best stuff, includeing "Rebel Rouser," so it's fitting that Eddy's here.

All in all, the album is a fine balance of schmaltz and levity, just like Hazlewood's career. One imagines cigarette butts and empty martinis at the end of this wake, and Hazlewood wouldn't have it any other way.

tags: music, lee hazlewood, album review, new release, rhapsody