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Keeping The Blues Alive (KTBA Records) [Release date 28.10.22]
Joanne Shaw Taylor has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, establishing herself as one of the most formidable blues/rock performers. We’ve followed her rise and rise in the past decade and noted her growing maturity as an artist.
The main change has to be in her vastly improved vocal, so that now it wouldn’t attract much attention. But she’s also not afraid to break out of the sometimes blues straitjacket, enlisted significant producers, and no doubt widened her appeal in the process. Regular touring is also helpful. Now domiciled in the US, we shouldn’t also under-estimate her success on both sides of the pond.
‘Nobody’s Fool’ is very much business as usual with a raft of engaging tunes and ably steered by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. Bonamassa contributes guitar to ‘Won’t Be Fooled Again’ which is the most commercial/crossover tune on offer here on an album that incorporates R&B and even pop and Motown influences.
There’s no doubt that an artist’s best work is often made under duress and the songwriting in particular when influenced by loss – in love and life – can often be incendiary. Joanne pours it all out here and if somewhat visceral it is all rather compulsive.
The title track includes a George Harrison-patented slide motif, ‘Bad Blood’ brings in a twangy Western feel whilst ‘Just Getting Over You’ introduces a swinging horn section which returns on the more optimistic ‘New Love’.
‘Then There’s You’ has a bluesy rock groove and ‘Runaway’ is decidedly AOR. And there are the touching ballads ‘Fade Away’ and ‘The Leaving Kind’.
What is it with ‘Missionary Man’? Even Ann Wilson came up with a cover in 2022. JST’s take on the Eurythmics song goes a step further and features her early mentor (and Eurythmic) Dave Stewart. Anyway, in both cases, it seems to encourage a good groove.
Whilst the blues percolates through this offering, it is perhaps the most accessible album Joanne Shaw Taylor has produced. It should have made more ‘Best ofs’ in 2022 and not necessarily in the “blues” category. Enough said. ****1/2
Review by David Randall
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