Claudette King - We're Onto Something

Claudette King - We're Onto Something
2010, Blues Express

If your father is B.B. King it sure can open a lot of doors for you; then again the expectations are preternaturally high. Claudette King has been wowing audiences in San Francisco since the mid-1980's and has graced the stage of the Monterey Blues Festival, but has somehow maintained a relatively low level of recognition for her work. All of that should change with the September 21, 2010 release of King's debut album We're Onto Something. Produced by Steve Savage (Robert Cray, Elvin Bishop), We're Onto Something features appearances by Donto James and Sametto James (sons of Etta James), and songwriting from Dennis Walker (B.B. King, Robert Cray, Bettye Lavette) and Alan Mirikitani (Bettye Lavette), and highlights King's versatile voice and playful personality.

We're Onto Something opens with "Can I Walk You To Your Car", a wicked little number with barely disguised intentions. King shines with her love of the music here; her voice teasing and sensuous with the hints of hard living sewn in the seams. The arrangement might be called big band blues, as King and the band blur the lines between blues and jazz, and not for the last time. "Whole Lotta Nothing" is a reflection on a relationship where much is given and little is returned. King handles this with aplomb. One of the unique characteristics of King's voice is that she occasionally lapses into a vocal sound that's nearly of a child, yet this sound is tempered with the texture and weight of her voice. Some might find this an affectation, but it marks King's voice as distinct and is a highly expressive tool in her singing arsenal.

"Too Little Too Late" is a melancholy kiss-off song that sounds more like a 1960's pop ballad, balancing on the line between singer/songwriter pastiche and early Motown. "We're Onto Something" is a more positive love song, delivered in classic style. While the song gives the album its name, it’s perhaps the weakest track on the disc (which is not to say it lacks; simply that King seems the least herself here). King digs into the good time feel of "Playing With My Friends" with Frankie Lee sitting in on the vocal duet. It's a classic early R&B turn that will have your toes tapping and is certain to be a favorite in the live show. "A Dog Like You" explores the futility of trying to change a man who's prone to roam. Blues, R&B and pop creep into this dynamic arrangement as King moves from trepidation to reveling in the pleasures of indignity.

"Boogie Some" is an urgent little funk number about the sort of dance that needs no music but has a rhythm all its own. Subtlety doesn't enter into the equation as King states her intentions in no uncertain terms. It's a titillating little number that's certain to get heart rates rising on the dance floor and at live shows. "Isn't Peace The Least We Can Do" is somewhat self-explanatory, a moral diatribe against war and hatred. The song has a gospel component, invoking Jesus' sacrifice while staying firmly in a cool jazz arrangement with some funk in its genes. King closes with the heartfelt "Easier Alone", a classic swan song steeped in the blues tradition but falling more in the R&B/Pop realm.

Claudette King has the pipes and the versatility to step out the rather impressive shadow of her father, B.B. King. It's not uncommon to find the children of famous musicians making music that might not be heard at a macro level if it weren't for their bloodlines. Claudette King clearly does not fall into the nepotism exception category. King has class and grace as a vocalist, but isn't afraid to dig into the seamier side of the human condition, playing each role to the hilt; singing each song from the heart. We're Onto Something, indeed.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

As of publication date, Claudette King does not appear to have a website, Facebook or MySpace page.  Her label, http://www.bluesexpress.com/ may have more information in the near future.  We're Onto Something drops September 21, 2010.  You can pre-order the CD (listed simple as Onto Something) from Amazon.com or CD Universe.  Expect wide digital availability once the release goes live.

Review: Blues Divine - Shine Like The Sun

Blues Divine - Shine Like The Sun
2009, Wide Eye Music

Philip Franchini is the force majeure behind new blues act Blues Divine. With deep Blues roots running the gamut from Magic Sam to Robert Johnson and Elmore James, Franchini's Blues Divine can deliver traditional blues as well as modern takes on the art form. Blues Divine's debut album, Shine Like The Sun, infuses gospel and jazz as it loosely follows the evolution of blues as it rolled out of Mississippi and down the great river. Traditionalists will be thrilled with Franchini's style, and modern Blues fans will find a lot to like here.

Shine Like The Sun opens with Knockin’, a great bit of old school Rockin’ Rhythm N Blues. The guitar work here is excellent. Down By The River brings in the gospel sound that Franchini seems to adore, while Don’t Settle For Less heads straight for a 1970’s groove with a hybrid of Jazz, Blues and Rock N Roll with just a touch of Funk thrown in. Apocalypse Blues is a great deal of fun, the sort of thing you might hear in a blues club on a Saturday night. Things get a bit rough in the middle of the album, but by the time Blues Divine comes to My Father’s House they’ve found perfect form. This is a southern Gospel tune that is played here in a Rockabilly/Blues mix that is amazing. This seems to be the sound that most becomes Blues Divine. Shine Like The Sun is done in a country arrangement that is definitely worth hearing, and Sacred Ground, the last track, is perhaps the best on the album. The piano, organ and guitar work perfectly together here on this Gospel and Blues hybrid.

Blues Divine has a sound that while not wholly original, is distinctive. Shine Like The Sun is a strong presentation, although the middle of the album is a bit rough at times. Blues and Gospel fans will enjoy this offering. Give it a few listens; it’s one of those albums that opens up to the listener more and more with successive listens.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Blues Divine at http://www.bluesdivine.com/. You can purchase a copy of Shine Like The Sun at CDBaby.

Review: Chrissy Coughlin - Look Ahead

Chrissy Coughlin - Look Ahead
2008, Chrissy Coughlin

Chrissy Coughlin calls wherever she happens to be her hometown. Having moved around a great deal as a child, Coughlin became adept at meeting new people and finding how situations work for her. This ease in transition comes across on her 2nd album, Look Ahead. Coughlin presents a musical traveling soul, with sounds/influences ranging from Sheryl Crow to Natalie Merchant to Lucinda Williams to Sarah McLachlan.

Look Ahead opens with Back To You, a delightful country rock tune built on a strong guitar hook and a snappy melody. From there Coughlin slides into Watch Your Step, a rootsy song born in dark tones that resolves into an airy melody and bright message. This one sounds like something Tom Petty and Sarah McLachlan might have written together if they were so inclined. Look Ahead is the mix-tape song on the disc, although it does get a little bogged down in itself. Big Log is a real treat, featuring Robert Cray style guitar playing and soulful vocals from Coughlin. Coughlin sounds very at home here, and her voice opens up with more color and nuance than we've heard to this point on the album.

Perfect Time may be the most commercial song on the album in spite of itself. It's a very straight forward rock tune with a clean melody line that sticks in your head. Wait For You is probably the most well-written song on Look Ahead. The juxtaposition of guitar, piano and voice here is quite striking, their mutual tension creates something greater than the sum of the parts. Coughlin is very courageous to take on Carlos Antonio Jobim's Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado). Not only courageous but successful. The tune is stylistically out of place here, but nonetheless a brilliant rendition, and makes you wonder if Coughlin might have a history (or future) singing jazz. The album closes out with Honestly, a pop confection that marks another divergence for Coughlin. It's a pleasant song that highlights the durability and reach of Chrissy Coughlin more than anything else.

Chrissy Coughlin brings a mixed and varied pallet of singing styles and vocal textures on Look Ahead. She appears to be able to sing most anything (well), and also displays a great sense of melody in her songwriting. A couple of songs on Look Ahead get a little bogged down in themselves, but on the whole it is a very solid album. It's a great rainy afternoon, snuggling on the couch music. It will fit well into your ears whether you like adult contemporary, country, light pop or rock. A strong effort.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Chrissy Coughlin at http://www.chrissymusic.com/. You can purchase a copy of Look Ahead at www.cdbaby.com/cd/chrissycoughlin2.