Album Review: Claire Whitehead, Thelma: A Country Opera

Concept albums aren't anything new, but Ontario country-folk singer Claire Whitehead has put a different spin on it. Inspired by the 1991 hit flick Thelma & Louise, Whitehead conceived a nine-song "country opera" based on the Geena Davis character. And for the most part, the album doesn't fall off a cliff. Or plummet into a canyon.

Produced primarily by Peter Elkas, the record has a folksy charm on "Darryl Don't Need To Know" which slides nicely into "Out Of The Law (Part 1)." Here Whitehead relies on some fine songwriting as Thelma decides it's "a good time to cross that border line." But the album hits its stride when Whitehead sounds Dolly-esque on The Carter Family classic "Hello Stranger" as it chugs along.

Although the album also contains a second and third part to "Out Of The Law," Whitehead takes a poppier, punchy feel on the gorgeous "Come On Friend" that refers to the shooting in the film. (Sorry if that’s a spoiler but hell it's a 30-year old film!) And unlike some where the homestretch seems to peter out on some albums, Whitehead's gentle, endearing approach on the closing "No Right Way, Louise" makes this a novel idea and album.

Thelma: A Country Opera was released April 23, 2021.
Listen to it here.