Since her arrival, just about 10 years ago, it's been an absolute pleasure watching - and hearing - the Georgia Songbird spread her wings over the blues community.  I've been aboard the flight since day one and what a flight it's been for E G KIGHT.  Each new disc she releases seems to take her yet another step deeper into the genre.  By recently signing with M. C Records, E G has added the missing link to a chain that already included superb songwriting, excellent vocal ability and good guitar playin'.  Her ever present smile and southern charm are the luster on the chain.

 

    On "IT'S HOT IN HERE", E G KIGHT, on vocals and lead and rhythm guitars, assembled musicians galore as band mates on this project.  The outstanding supporters are:  SEAN FARLEY on vocals and lead guitar; ALLISON RUPPERT on background vocals; KEN WYNN on lead and rhythm guitars; RICHARD RUPPERT on rhythm guitar; BOB MARGOLIN on slide guitar; GIL GILLIS on mandolin; JOHNNY FOUNTAIN, ANDY SEAL and CHRIS BRZELZICKI on bass; GARY PORTER, JEREMY JAFFE and GRANT STOVEL on drums; PAUL HORNSBY and GRAHAM GUEST on piano and B3; TIM HOOPER on background vocals, piano, organ and synthesizer; MARCUS HENDERSON and RICHARD OWENS on horns; GREG PICCOLO on tenor saxophone; DOUG MCMINN on clarinet.  As I said - musicians galore.

 

    "IT'S HOT IN HERE", opens with E G doing her usual thing on a track called "I WANT YOU JUST 'CAUSE I WANT YOU" - and that's highlighting the song with her vocals.  Led by GARY "POPPIN" PORTER on percussion, this smoker has the horn and rhythm section adding a strong dose of funk.

 

    I think E G may have gotten the idea for the name of the title track when we first met.  I seem to recall her walking up to me and saying "Is it me, or is it hot in here"?  OK, so that didn't happen, but "IT'S HOT IN HERE" will make it hot wherever it's being played.  SEAN and TIM are partly responsible for that due to the hot guitar and piano work.  

 

    With her country background and velvety smooth voice, E G often leans on the ballads.  Why not?  If your left hook is your best knockout punch, then the left hook should be thrown often.  "I'M NEW AT THIS" is one hell of a left hook.  It's songs like this that dancing was invented for.  This one's all about the voice, the keys and the sax.  E G, GRAHAM and GREG all nail this one.

 

    On "THEN THERE'S THE TRUTH", E G's getting' lied to and it's giving her a bad case of the blues.  She's also getting some serious blues out of BOB on slide guitar.  It's this writers opinion that MR. MARGOLIN is, by far, the best in the business to ever slip a slide on a finger.  He virtually steals this one.

 

   "PASS THE PLATE" is a CHUCK BERRY style smoker.  This one rocks!  It's an all out free for all with everyone on it absolutely on fire.  This cleverly written track is easily one of the discs best. 

 

    E G and SEAN make a great vocal duo on "SOUTHERN WOMAN AND A NAWTHERN MAN".  It seems they've got what each of the other one is looking for.  SEAN and TIM also get in some of the discs best guitar and piano licks on this, another one of the best on the CD.  Hey E G, if it doesn't work out, this Nu Yawker will be your nawthern man any time, Sugar.

 

    Although this song has been done by many, and most of them have done it well, I doubt I'll ever hear a version of "THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN" as good as the one by ERIC BURDEN AND THE ANIMALS.  On the other hand, I also think it may be a very long time till I hear a version as good as E G's.  It's totally flawless and her vocal range on the track is phenomenal.  She's soft, sensitive and smooth when the song calls for her to be, yet when it calls for her to be powerful and commanding she handles it with the same intensity.  Absolutely stunning!  KENNY and PAUL get the kudos for the outstanding work on guitar and B3 on this one.  

 

    Other tracks on "IT'S HOT IN HERE", which include eleven originals out of twelve tracks, are: "ROSES AND PROMISES", "SUGAR", "THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD", "LOVE ME OR LET ME GO" and "YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU". 

 

    Check out the Georgia Songbird at www.egkight.com.  While your there, don't just buy

 "IT'S HOT IN HERE", buy all of her discs.  After all, it's what's on some of those earlier releases that's earned E G several Blues Music Award Nominations.  Of course, ya gotta remember to tell her the Blewzzman sends his love.

 

    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