In an episode of Country Road TV uploaded in August 2021, the up-and-coming artist Mo Pitney performed a beautiful rendition of Mel Street’s country classic “Borrowed Angel.”
Cross Rhythms described Illinois-native Pitney as an “anomaly.” That is, in a time when country-pop tracks dominate the charts, he decided to go against the flow. He embraced the raw, plaintive country sounds, which many thought were slowly disappearing from the scene, from his original songs down to his covers.
One of those was his standout rendition of “Borrowed Angel.” This track, which became a top-10 Billboard hit, was written and recorded by Mel Street and produced by Joe Deaton.
Despite his tragically short career, Street had made a reputation for himself: a country musician who specializes in cheating disguised in an angel motif. And this was showcased as early as his debut single, “Borrowed Angel,” where the act of sin almost sounded sacramental. That is, the conflict of comfort in distress worked in accord with the song’s heartfelt melody and soul-stirring harmonies.
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And Mo Pitney absolutely delivered on that.
His voice set the mood with carefully placed soft percussions and the sound of a gentle acoustic guitar providing the backdrop. And his heartfelt delivery and sincere interpretation of the lyrics endeared him to country music fans. His rendition honored its legacy while captivating a new generation of country music enthusiasts.
Watch and enjoy Mo Pitney’s live rendition of “Borrowed Angel” in the video below. And if you like the song’s traditional country sound, then make sure to check out the rest of Mo Pitney’s songs.
