JOANNA CONNOR
4801 South Indiana Avenue
KTBA Records
The Queen Of Blues Slide Guitar Finally Captures Her ‘Live Magic’ in the Studio.
Brooklyn born, Joanna Connor was raised in Massachusetts, influenced by her Mom’s Blues and Jazz record collection. Buying her first guitar at 7 years old and pulled to Chicago at 22; when she found it futile to fight the magnetic forces of the Blues.
She was soon sitting in with legends such as James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor and A.C. Reed very quickly establishing herself as the premier female Blues guitarist of the time.
Her debut album, Believe It came out in 1989; and since then there have been something like 8 further studio albums and several live releases. I first encountered her in a small club in San Francisco on Saturday 17th. May 1996 (I’ve still got the ticket!) whilst on a ‘business trip’ with 6 other Brits.
She sold 7 copies of her then current release Big Girl Blues that night, we were all so impressed with her superb guitar playing, excellent voice and her flamboyant stage presence.
As the years have passed by she has somehow, sadly flown under my personal radar until her superb 2019 release Rise which I loved for its variety, energy and that guitar playing ‘wow factor’.
Since Rise was so well received two years ago she somehow came to the attention of Joe Bonamassa and it is he and Josh Smith who have not only co-produced 4801 South Indiana Road, but both play a significant role in adding their own six string skills to this new album. It is actually the second to be released on the new independent label KTBA Records; which is an off-shoot of ‘Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation” the non-profit organisation which Joe and his long-time manager Roy Weisman created some years ago.
Recorded a year ago, pre-pandemic, at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville with an absolute A-List set of musicians, the album gets under way with a very lively cover of Jimmy Thackeray’s “Destination”, featuring Joanna’s trademark slide, Reese Wynan’s piano, plus … wait for it, the added bonus of Jimmy Hall (aka Wet Willie) adding his Southern Soul on backing vocals.
The groove continues with a cover of Hound Dog Taylors “Come Back Home”, featuring more of Reece’s psycho 88’s plus conducive raw, nay, primitive slide to propel the strong vocals from Joanna.
The prescient song selections that Joe and Josh have persuaded Joanna to record (mostly single takes) work really well, coming from the catalogues of many of the blues icons, mostly with personal memories for Joanna.
Capturing the “lighting in a bottle” that is always evident at her live performances, the boys at the desk have stretched and cajoled her to the very limit of her musical and vocal capabilities.
But, you know what, it really works and it’s delivered with such raw energy and absolute zhuzh, without any hint of asperity.
You’ll struggle keeping your volume control below 9 and as a result, not just your neighbours, but the entire street will know you’ve just added this rocking Blues album to your collection!
My favourite tracks are, the ubiquitous “I Feel So Good,” “Trouble Trouble”, a Lowell Fulsom cover with slinky horns and additional subtle guitar licks from Josh Smith; plus “Please Help” another Hound Dog Taylor rollicking memory of a JB Hutto classic.
However, just edging into my favourite position is a superb slowed down, sexy cover of “Part Time Love”, an R&B hit for Little Johnny Taylor in 1963 and subsequently also a Hi-Records smash for Ann Peebles in 1970. Calvin Turner’s horn arrangement with Mark Duthits Sax compliment Joanna’s frenetic slide before Joe demonstrates just why he’s regarded as the cymophanous Blues-Rock axeman.
At long last, Joanna Connor looks like getting, not just the recognition that her distinctive slide guitar deserves, but also the actual album sales and wide distribution that her efficacious connections ought to guarantee.
If holidays and cruises ever get going again, then you can believe that Joanna Connor will most certainly be coming to a Blues Cruise near you, obviously along with her new found pals from this fine release.
Jack Kidd “Messin’ with the Kidd” on lionheartradio.com
Released on 26th. February 2021
http://joannaconnor.com/
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The Rocking Magpie 