Singer, songwriter and Blues slide guitarist, Joanna Connors new album is produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith and sees the Blues mistress pouring emotion and energy into every song found here.
Bonamassa, alongside Smith, keys player Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan), bassist Cavin Turner, and drummer Lemar help Connor cast her Blues spell.
Her unique writing and playing style gives Blues music a new and exciting edge.
The album name comes from the legendary Chicago blues club, Theresa’s Lounge, an infamous place where Blues players came from all around to play.
First track, `Destination’ was originally performed by The Assassins, sees Connor raising hell with fiery guitar playing and a powerful, dominant vocal that means business.
Come Back Home’ takes on a real vintage feel, resplendent with honky tonk piano from Wynans and Connors distorted vocal tone and wailing blues lines. This is back to basics Blues at its very best.
As the bell tolls for Luther Allison’s `Bad News’ you just know this track is going to be amazing. Emotional slide guitar playing vies for centre stage against Connors evocative vocal delivery that oozes power and intensity.
A fast paced, rollercoaster boogie pounds along in the shape of `I Feel So Good’ as speedy licks leap off the fretboard only to be followed by zippy bottleneck work. Guitar lover’s heaven sits right here!
Taking a more modern feel onboard comes `For The Love Of A Man’ which drives along like a freight train and showcases just how much talent is contained in this band.
Trouble Trouble’ pours out its soulful blues next as it swings along and encompasses a gritty mean n moody vocal that is oh so good.
A deep bass line pounds out the path for `Cut You Loose’ pushing near to the Blue Rock boundary as everything thickens up and kicks ass. Things clam down as the smooth `Part Time Love’ seduces with tasty Sax parts sweet talking with the Hammond organ and Connor’s blistering vocal.
The album finishes with `It’s My Time’, a totally different track with slightly psychedelic drum patterns, a sixties sounding vocal vibe and slow pace which lets Connor’s slide guitar mastery take centre stage.
Joanna Connor has truly hit the bullseye here. Surrounding herself with world class musicians, she has created a masterpiece which takes the Blues at grassroots level and redefines it into an emotional, powerful monster of an album that confirms Connor’s place in the halls of the Blues elite. This is destined to be a future classic.
The album is available to pre-order at https://bit.ly/4801sindiana
Review by Paul Sabin for MPM
