Dalannah Gail Bowen
Dalannah Gail Bowen
"Mama's Got The Blues"
Quest Records

BY PETER "BLEWZZM BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO  © NOVEMBER 2008LAUR© Nvember 2008

"MAMA'S GOT THE BLUES" may be the title of the disc, but this listener believes those words are also a proclamation from the artist, because this mama's certainly got the blues. Backed up by THE STRAIGHT-UP BAND which consists of HARRIS VAN BERKEL on guitar, MICHAEL CREBER on keyboards and Hammond Organ, BRIAN NEWCOMBE and RENE WORST on bass, CHRIS NORDQUIST on drums, JIM SALMON on percussion and DAVID SAY on tenor and soprano saxophones, DALANNAH GAIL BOWEN belts out the blues in all sorts of styles. On several tracks, background vocals are provided by JANE MORTIFEE, LINDA KIDDER and DALANNAH herself.

"MAMA'S GOT THE BLUES", the title track - and one of several DALANNAH originals, is a steamy ballad on which you'll not only hear her soft and sultry side, you'll also realize some of the incredible range she has. This is one of those turn the lights down low, light the candles and get close kind of songs. Adding to it's highlights are the beautiful piano and sax work from MICHAEL and DAVID and the sensual background vocals from the ladies.

The hot rhythm from CHRIS and BRIAN step up the pace a few notches on "MY BLUES KEEP BRINGING ME HOME", another original by DALANNAH. This smoker features more great vocals and perhaps some of the discs best piano playing from MICHAEL.

"STONE COLD AND CRAZY" is all about DALANNAH and DAVID. With the rest of the band in a soft, constant groove behind them, they take turns highlighting their sometimes soft and sometimes strong style of vocalizing and playing.

Sitting still through "STILL ALIVE AND WELL" can only mean one off two things - you're either deaf or dead. BRIAN, CHRIS and JIM are at discs best right here - the percussion and rhythm are furious and funk filled. This three and a half minute track should have been triple that.

HARRIS, with some smokin' guitar licks, and MICHAEL, kickin' it on the Hammond Organ and piano, get things rockin' a bit on "I GOT THIS BRIDGE I WANT TO BUY". This one, with everyone - including DALANNAH - peaking, may just be the discs best track.

DALANNAH, as well as everyone else in the band, really tears it up on "U KAN HAVE MY HUSBAND" - a song I often hear my wife singing. This track, along with four others, was recorded live at THE MAPLE RIDGE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL and it leaves no doubt that along with the soft, soulful and sultry stuff DALANNAH & THE STRAIGHT-UP are also capable of kickin' a large, live crowds ass.

Other tracks on "MAMA'S GOT THE BLUES" include: "EARLY IN THE MORNIN", "UP FROM THE SKIES", "WATERMELON MAN", "BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN", "JEALOUS KIND", and "UNCHAIN MY HEART".

Check out DALANNAH & THE STRAIGHT-UP BAND at www.dalannahgailbowen.com. While you're there, tell her that her newest fan - Pete the Blewzzman - sent ya.

 
This review has been complimentary written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. I can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com