Born in Australia and now living in Australia, Kara Grainger is described by Randy Chortkoff as “a triple threat … Singer, Guitar Player and Songwriter.” She impressed him enough to have Chortkoff record her for his Eclecto Groove label. David Z, who produced the late Etta James amongst others, produced this recording Shiver & Sigh that has a stellar group of players backing her including Mike Finnigan, Jimi Bott, Kirk Fletcher and the Pacific Coast Horns.
Musically there is plenty to like of her mix of pop, soul and blues and this is certainly a recording that fans of Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and the like will enjoy. Both as a vocalist and guitarist she shines with her naturally flowing soulful singing and her sharply focused fretwork whether employing a slide or displaying her nimble single note work. Her songs include the opening Little Pack of Lies where she spins a story about her fast-talking ex and his little pack of lies. Her stinging slide guitar provides another voice to her wonderful, heartfelt vocals.
Mixed in originals is a nice cover of Robert Johnson’s Come On In My Kitchen, titled here C’Mon In My Kitchen, with some very nice slide and her brother Mitch’s harmonica supporting her fine singing. Her take on Breaking Up Somebody’s Home benefits from not only a terrific nuanced vocal and short guitar breaks, but the backing as Finnigan is exceptional here and the horns add the right amount of punch.
She has come a long-way from playing in a blues band in Sydney, Australia and matured to a marvelous performer of the splendid blues and soul-infused sounds heard on Shiver 7 Sigh. I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of her doing Come On In My Kitchen.
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