Review | Jack White has his hands all over Lillie Mae’s debut album

Lillie Mae
Forever and Then Some
Third Man Records

Having dazzled audiences with her dandy fiddle skills as part of Jack White’s all-female backing band, The Peacocks, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lillie Mae has stepped into the spotlight. This album was recorded at White’s studio and released on his Third Man Records, so it’s hardly surprising the bluesman has his hands all over the production, too, pushing the multi-instrumen­talist Mae in a multitude of directions. Joined by musical friends and family (her two sisters and brother play on the album), Lillie Mae delivers songs of love and heartbreak with a confident, natural ease. Her emotional vocals might bring to mind Emmylou Harris or Dolly Parton, but this isn’t a modern-day country-pop crossover. The 11 primarily acoustic tracks are layered with mandolin, pedal steel and, of course, fiddle, and flit effortlessly between rootsy soul, Americana, bluegrass and traditional country. This is a fresh and tender debut – and then some.