Drag is a cover album by k.d. lang, released in 1997; most of its songs feature a smoking motif, although some address broader issues of dependence and/or addiction. Lang's cover of Dionne Warwick's "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls" was notably used in key scenes in the pilot episode and series finale of the Showtime comedy-drama series Nurse Jackie. The cover of "Hain't It Funny" was part of the soundtrack for the 2002 film Talk to Her.
Reception In an AllMusic review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote, "A collection of covers that are somehow related to smoking, Drag is far more ambitious than the average cover record... lang's rich voice and the measured arrangements make Drag a ringer for Ingénue in places, but the tone is considerably lighter and more humorous, which certainly makes it an enjoyable listen."
Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Robert Hilburn said, "The pace is sometimes slow and demanding and a couple of the songs are marginal, but the heart of this album combines mainstream pop accessibility and torch-driven cabaret intimacy in ways that seem absolutely addicting themselves."
Track listing
Personnel
k.d. lang – vocals Teddy Borowieckl – piano, accordion, keyboard Kevin Breit – banjo, guitar Kimberly Brewer – background vocals Lisa Coleman – keyboards Anthony Cooke – cello Larry Corbett – cello Suzie Katayama – cello Bruce Dukov – violin Henry Ferber – violin Ron Folsom – violin Benji Gavabedian – violin Connie Grauer – piano Portia Griffin – background vocals Jimmie Haskell – conductor Jon Hassell – trumpet Pat Johnson – violin Karen Jones – violin Dennis Karmazyn – cello Ray Kelley – cello Jerry Kessler – cello Marva King – background vocals Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums Greg Leisz – pedal steel Gayle Levant – harp Joe Lovano – saxophone Joy Lyle – violin Wendy Melvoin – guitar Sid Page – violin David Piltch – bass Barbara Porter – cello Jay Rosen – violin David Torn – guitar, kotar Kim Zick – drums
Production Producers: k.d. lang, Craig Street Engineer: Danny Kopelson Assistant engineer: Doug Boehm Mixing: Patrick McCarthy Mixing assistant: Mike Scotella Mastering: Greg Calbi Orchestration: Jimmie Haskell Art direction: Linda Cobb, K.D. Lang Design: Linda Cobb Photography: Albert Sanchez
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1997)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Albums Chart39UK Albums Chart19United States Billboard 200[ Allmusic - Drag > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]29
Year-end charts Chart (1997)PositionAustralian Albums Chart46
Certifications
References