Over the past several years, the State of New Jersey has had quite it's share of publicity - thanks to HBO and "THE SOPRANOS".  Although Tony, Silvio and Paulie certainly gave a lot of people the blues, a different kind of blues is being dished out by some very talented musicians from the Garden State.  As a matter of fact, for two years running, the Blues Music Awards category for "Best New Artist Debut" has included a native of New Jersey - and from what this writer is hearing, GINA FOX may just keep that streak in tact. 

 

    On her debut CD, "HER NAME IS GINA", GINA FOX, on vocals and piano, is joined by: BEN MARKLEY and MICHAEL TROTTA, also on piano; CHRIS VITARELLO, BILL HUNT and PAUL KARWIN on guitar; SCOTT HORNICK on bass; TOM CUTTONE on drums; DOUG SASFAI on saxophone; VINNIE BORSELLI on trumpet; JEFF LEVINE on the B3 organ; PAUL RISHELL on a vocal duet; and last but surely not least - especially in GINA'S eyes, her husband DENNIS GRUENLING on harmonica. 

 

    On "NIGHT TIME", the opening track and one of six originals, GINA immediately whisked me away to a crowded dance floor in a small, dimly lit, smoke filled jazz lounge.  You know the kind of place I'm talking about.....a small club with a tight combo cooly playing a nicely mixed blend of jazz and blues while a sultry vocalist seductively belts out the best of the standards.  Oh man, can't you just feel it?  Aside from the steamy vocals, what usually makes songs like this what they are, is great instrumental solos and the ones by DOUG, DENNIS and BEN on the sax, harp and piano are just that.

 

    As I researched the following song I was utterly amazed by the number of duets that have performed it.  Then as I listened to it, I was equally amazed that this version of "YOU DON'T KNOW ME" - a duet on which GINA is joined by PAUL RISHELL - was as good as, if not better than, any of the others.  Together, they nailed this one.  The soothing groove that the band is in on this one is highlighted by the subdued guitar and relaxed harp work of PAT and DENNIS.

 

    You can tell she's feelin' it on "FEELIN' ME".  Showing some versatility, GINA temporarily abandons the slow, sultry stuff and gets right down to some seriously spirited blues.  This smoker features CHRIS dosing out the blues with some hot slide work on guitar. 

 

    In spite of her vocals pretty much highlighting most of the tracks, I think some of GINA'S best singing is heard right here on "NOW THAT I BELONG TO YOU".  With the band in a tight and mellow groove, stellar backup from JEFF and DOUG on the B3 organ and saxophone, and GINA leading the way with her powerful and impressive vocal range, this is by far one of the discs best.   

 

    With SCOTT and TOM laying down some ever so soft rhythm behind them, "ONE MORE TIME" is pretty much all about the spouses.  As her main support, DENNIS provides a steady stream of delicate harp work for GINA'S velvety vocals. 

 

    Other absorbing tracks on "HER NAME IS GINA" include: "LOVERMAN", "NO BIG DEAL", "I WASN'T READY", "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?" and "ON THE WILLOWS".

 

    If you know who I'm talking about by just using these ladies first names - ELLA, SARAH, NANCY, NINA, LENA and DIANE - then you'll obviously love this disc.  Check out GINA at www.ginafox.com and pick up a copy of "HER NAME IS GINA". While you're there, tell her that the Blewzzman has a suggestion for her.  Staying with the format of using her name in the title of the disc, I'm thinking her follow up should be called "SHE'S A FOX".

 

    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