Fearless and Fresh. Few standard blues records by non-major
artists offer any surprises. But Laurie Morvan adds
a bit to the blues genre. Her songs aren't all
that different, but the playing is unique enough to
make you take notice. Solos and fills lift this effort
above your standard blues fare; Morvan plays with plenty
of imagination and doesn't rely on licks or tricks
heard a million times.
Blues-rock songs dominate; "Kickin' Down Doors"
has a great lyric and opens with a lick that grabs.
"Where Are the Girls With Guitars" has an
extremely clever lyric and playing to match the message.
Morvan has a surprising and pleasing grasp of chromatic
licks, even on a good ol' shuffle like "My Baby
Says," where she throws in a unique solo.
"One Little Thing" is a quiet minor-key
tune that shows off her lyrical smarts and soulful playing.
Lyrically, the same can be said for the piano ballad
"Family Line," while the instrumental "Wiggle
Room" opens with wah and offers a relentless solo
that show the true strength of her chops.
There's a lot of talk in guitar circles about how
women just don't seem to cut it when it come to guitar
playing. But Morvan's work is fearless. Check it out,
and you'll see - the debate is over.
