Blues singer and guitarist Laurie's music is strong and muscular, rocking away as on the energetic opener 'My Moderation', which also helps to introduce the excellent backing band - Mike Finnigan noteworthy on Hammond B-3, whilst Tony Braunagel's crisp drumming and the heavy bass lines of Bob Glaub power things along, leading into the Stax inflected modern blues of 'Twice The Trouble', again with Laurie's excellent singing and impressive guitar licks. Veteran Barry Goldberg's fine piano becomes noticeable on 'Money Talks', and the pattern is set for this excellent release, with an accessible blues sound throughout all twelve original compositions. There are some slightly more down-home numbers too, with 'Gotta Dig Deep' based around some spiky guitar (slight hints of Howling Wolf), and 'I Want Answers' and 'The Extra Mile' driven by low-down and dirty guitar riffs whilst 'Too Dumb To Quit' is a fine closer, with shades of New Orleans funk kings The Meters in the rhythm, some steaming slide guitar playing, and as with all the songs here, strong and meaningful lyrics. Laurie keeps her music well on the bluesier side of blues-rock, and it is much the better for it. More please, Laurie!
by Norman John Darwen |
