In the world of country music, prison was always one of the places from which an artist can develop perspective which would reflect in lyrics and melodies. This was also the case with Jaime Wyatt, who became obsessed with Johnny Cash and Merl Haggard when she was out of prison. Since she was no longer able to find "normal" job, she started practicing excessively, and playing up and down the West Coast. On her travels, she met somgwriter John Durril who convinced her to record a cover of Haggard's 1979 hit Misery and Gin. Thanks to the financial help of friends, her first song came to life, and it is the song that closes this album. After this, every time she would get some money, Jaime would invest it in recording of a new song, which is why the work title was Nickel and Dimin'.
Although the album was recorded in pieces, it hold impressive list of Americana and country guests: John Schreffler Jr and Ted Russel Kamp from Shooter Jennings band, Gabe Witcher from Punk Brothers on violin, Sam Outlaw on Your Loving Saves Me, and drummer Freddy Bokkenheuser who is currently on tour with Ryan Adams. The album opens with two magnificent country rock and soul numbers - Wishin Well and Your Loving Saves Me. Most songs are about bad life choices. Stone Hotel is a confession about how Jaime was accused for armed robbery, while Wasco is about love correspondence with another prisoner. On From Outer Space Bowie meets Neko Case, and Misery and Gin is sung in line with Merl's original interpretation, and at the end this sound gives us the meaning of Felony Blues.
Jaime Wyatt added rural heritage to her ferocious nature and criminal past. With drug abuse and rebellious tendencies being a perfect ground for growing an outlaw country album, it comes as no surprise that Felony Blues is an epytome of criminally good DIY record.
