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Alberta Adams: Born with the Blues |
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Monday, 06 February 2006 10:46 |
Alberta Adams
Born with the Blues
Featuring Johnnie Bassett
Cannonball Records CBD 29106
By John Sinclair
At the age of 75, the Blues Matriarch of the Motor City has just released her first album, and Born with the Blues fully reaps the sweet harvest of a long unrewarded lifetime in music.
Backed by Detroit guitarist Johnnie Bassett, pianist Bill Heid and members of Bassett's band, the Blues Insurgents, Ms. Alberta Adams takes charge from the first note and never lets up, singing her wonderful way through a challenging program of original compositions and blues and jazz standards with the intelligence and wit of an experienced hand and the energy and emotional commitment of a much younger woman.
With saxophonist Keith Kaminski and trumpeter Dwight Adams providing a big fat cushion of sound, Ms. Adams updates her 1953 recording of Memphis Slim's "Messin' Around with the Blues" (Chess 1551), modernizes the Ma Rainey classic "He May Be Your Man (But He Comes to See Me Sometimes)" to terrific effect, offers a fine reading of Duke Ellington's "Just a Lucky So And So," but falls a bit short of improving on Fats Domino's immortal recording of "Goin' Home" (Imperial 5180, 1952).
Ms. Adams benefits mightily from the contributions of songwriters De-Vonne Spears-Jones, Bob Codish and Bill Heid. Spears-Jones provides the leadoff track, a very convincing "Tell You Like It Is," and the cautionary yet celebratory "Pair and a Spare." Heid's coquettish "I Can Be Good" is tailor-made for Alberta's knowing delivery, and Codish makes "Half a Man" sound like the lady wrote it herself.
Alberta's own compositions range from her slow, smoky "Blues Mood," a nine-minute workout on traditional themes that showcases the soulful sound of the Blues Insurgents, to the jazz-inflected ballad "Searchin'," to the deep-spirited title track, "Born with the Blues," delivered with conviction and emotional commitment.
Johnnie Bassett, one of the finest blues guitarists presently active, plays a central role in the proceedings and delivers his parts without fail, always producing the exact effect required. Heid sparkles on piano and Wurlitzer piano, and the Motor City rhythm section of bassist Kurt Krahnke and drummer R.J. Spangler provides vigorous yet sensitive support throughout.
Impeccably produced by Ron Levy, Born with the Blues gives us the Alberta Adams we've waited so long to hear, spotlighting her long-nurtured talents as a vocalist, songwriter and masterful performer in front of a first-class band which understands what she's about and where she wants to go.
Music lovers will be listening to Born with the Blues for a long time to come. But please, don't make us wait for the next Alberta Adams album--cut her while she's hot. Another treasure like this one would be welcome news indeed.
--New Orleans
April 29, 1999
(c) 1999, 2006 John Sinclair. All Rights Reserved.
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