a first rate effort.
From the jump blues of "Baby Let Me
Butter Your Corn," to the band's electrifying remake of John Lee Hooker's "Boom
Boom." the record is a musical tribute to
the genius of blues legends like Willie
Dixon (who was Branch's mentor before
his death); and Paul Butterfield, whose
harp work was another obvious influence.
Blues Shock also showcases Branch's writing skills. The sentimental "Going To See
Miss Gerri One More Time," and the jazz
fused "Song For My Mother," are good
examples of how Branch is taking the
blues in new, more contemporary directions.
- Bruce Pilato
8
SARAH DOOLEY
Stupid Things
(Self)
At a time during which the Frozen
soundtrack is the most popular album in
the world, these 10 quirky coming-of-age
songs are a tonic. The bouncy piano, chipper melodies, and detailed lyrics cultivate
the same feminine turf but at a deeper
level, and Dooley sings almost as well as
Demi Lovato, Idina Menzel, and Kristen
Bell. In fact, by singing "worse" - i.e., with
less regard for the niceties of professionalistic perfectionism--she could be said to
sing better. If only she weren't so nasal.
Her piercing tone and helium-huffing
range do her occasionally overripe cuteness no favors ("Watching Goonies At My
House"). But when she eases up and
meets her sentiments halfway, she sounds
as if she could give one-woman, offBroadway shows a good name. 5 – Arsenio Orteza
B