Both times I've had the pleasure of catching EDEN BRENT live - first at the cocktail hour of the 2006 Blues Music Awards and second at the WRFG Labor Day Blues BBQ in Atlanta that same year, she totally floored me, as well as the rest of the audience.  Back then, her one-two knockout punches were her vocals and her piano. 

 

    On her latest project, she's added a combo as extra added strength to her arsenal.  On "MISSISSIPPI NUMBER ONE", EDEN - on vocals and piano is joined by: JIMMI KINARD on bass; JAMES ROBERTSON and TOM LONARD on drums; RICK STEFF on organ; JIM SPAKE on tenor and baritone sax; MARK FRANKLIN on trumpet; SAM SHOUP on double bass; KEVIN LEWIS on alto sax; RICK CHANCEY on guitar and harmonica; JACK HOLDER on guitar; JACKIE JOHNSON, REBA RUSSEL, VAN DUREN, DARRELL BONNER, DAUNIELLE "PIE" HILL and JOYCE COBB on backup vocals. 

 

    The disc opens with the typical style of blues that those of us who know her have come to expect.  Backed by a solid rhythm performance from JIMMI and JAMES, "MISSISSIPPI FLATLAND BLUES" finds EDEN doing what she does best - belting out some red hot Delta Blues while wailing away on the piano.  Here I am on the opening track and I'm already calling this one of the discs best. 

 

    While warning the other gals that "HE'LL DO THE SAME THING TO YOU", EDEN and the guys slip into a funky groove.  Along with her usual good stuff, other highlights on this one are great horn blowin' from JIM and MARK and superb organ playin' from RICK.

 

    "LOVE ME 'TIL DAWN" is a soft and sultry number.  The voice with which EDEN uses in requesting what the title of this song suggests, would make it hard for any man to refuse.  Of course, without some very nice, soft saxophone, a sultry number couldn't be just that.  KEVIN makes sure this one is.   

 

    The title track - on which EDEN pays homage to her home state - "MISSISSIPPI NUMBER ONE", is pretty much lots more of what the opening track was all about.  It's four minutes of EDEN frolicking at the keyboard and it features some of the discs best rhythm from JIMMI and JAMES.

 

    Some of EDEN'S best vocals and piano work can be heard on a solo effort called "WHY DON'T YOU DO RIGHT?".  This torch ballad is Delta Blues the way it was meant to be sung and played.  It wouldn't surprise me if this is one of the songs that won her the solo act title at the IBC'S in '06.

 

    "MISSISSIPPI NUMBER ONE" closes out with a heartwarming track called "UNTIL I DIE".  It tells of finding a love that everyone should be lucky enough find, and to have........until the day they die.  This is Delta Gospel Music at it best.  EDEN'S soulful deliverance of these uplifting lyrics, supported by the melodic choir of backup singers, make this one extraordinary track.  This one may just get her a "Song of the Year" award to add to what I'm sure is going to be a large collection of mantle pieces.  

 

    Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "MISSISSIPPI NUMBER ONE".  You can do that by visiting EDEN at www.edenbrent.com.  While you're there, make sure you tell her she once again floored the Blewzzman.

    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