Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM
SWEET ‘LIL LIES – Such an eloquent expression. Leaving the listener in no doubt as to the subject matter of this release the song tells a story of someone who has had enough of being taken for granted and is ready to pull the plug and walk away from a relationship going badly wrong.
A very common subject matter when you’re dealing with the blues but wait, Joanne Shaw Taylor may be a 38 year old blues guitarist extraordinaire but this is no simple blues song.
Its been just shy of twelve months since we last heard any new material from Joanne Shaw Taylor – October 2022’s NOBODY’S FOOL her last release which was a modern genre defying album moving Joanne away from her tried and tested blues roots into a more commercial rocky direction, the album even drifted towards a ‘pop’ direction at times whilst ballads like ‘WON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN’ demonstrated Joanne’s creativity and musical malleability.
Produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden) this track continues Joanne’s drift away from solely blues based music, as she crosses over into multiple genres consequently appealing to fans from outside the blues circle.
Indeed this track features a glorious ensemble of top class Nashville session musicians from across the musical landscape – guitarist Rob McNelly (Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Buddy Guy), Doug Lancio on rhythm guitar (John Hiatt, Bob Dylan), bassist Alison Prestwood (Blake Shelton, Olivia Newton-John, George Benson), keyboard aficionado Jimmy Wallace (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gavin DeGraw). Drums/percussion are provided by the South African ‘Thunder from Down Under’ Anton Fig (David Letterman, Kiss, Joe Bonamassa).
Anton demonstrates just why he is known as the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ with a solid heavy drum beat introducing the track with Joanne heading straight into the song’s memorable and catchy hook line. It’s a great intro that leaves us in no doubt that we have a killer tune on our hands here. Jimmy’s superb keys join the fray before Joanne’s distinctive vocal – ‘Time is running out on what’s left of you and me, either you just don’t care or you don’t believe I’ll leave’.
Typical blues lyrics but as mentioned before this is far from a pure blues song, Joanne delivering the message in her own unique smoky, sultry and sensational vocal style in an upbeat rocky manner. Joanne may be leaving her cheating partner but you won’t want to leave this song alone once you’ve heard it – the chorus a classic earworm.
You will be singing it long after the tune has finished even after merely one or two listens. ‘Maybe I’m wrong but I just don’t feel your desire, I’m not upset, I’ve no regrets…I’m just so damned tired … Of your SWEET LIL LIES’. You have been warned – one listen and there’s no hiding from it.
Joanne’s lead break is just as sweet as those lies she’s been fed, a mere taste of her forthcoming album, this unforgettable track was the very first number she penned for the future release on Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records label. I look forward to hearing the other delights Joanne has on offer when the subsequent album emerges.
It’s been a long and eventful journey for Joanne since she was discovered at the age of 16 by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. I have a feeling that following the release of this exceptional memorable track a plethora of new fans will join Dave in discovering the musical extrovert we know as Joanne Shaw Taylor.
Music fans can stream the single on all streaming platforms from this link https://ktbarecords.com/streaming/jst/sweetlil/
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Photo by Stacie Huckeba
