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I’ll Sing the Blues for You
Connor Ray Music
Houston vocalist Trudy Lynn has to these ears been an under appreciated blues and soul vocalist. She has appeared in various contexts including the big blues band of the late Calvin Owens. Her latest album features her unique takes on songs from Big Mama Thornton, Lowell Fulson, Memphis Minnie and Johnny Copeland, among others, as well as the funky original, “Thru Chasin’ You.” Backing Trudy on the new album are a tight small group comprised of label president Steve Krase on harmonica, David Carter on guitar, Terry Dry on bass, Randy Wall on keyboards and Matt Johnson on drums.
There is a good selection of material starting with the rollicking rollicking down home feel of her interpretation of a lesser known Big Mama Thornton number "Alright Baby," with Krase's harmonica along with Wall's piano adding to the fun. The Lowell Fulson hit "Black Night" has a different tenor to it with a nice guitar solo by Carter and restrained backing for her nuanced vocal. "Honky Tonk Song" is a song Koko Taylor recorded on one of earliest Alligator albums. Lynn's rendition is a bit cooler but equally satisfying. Other notable selections include her small group reworking of (and powerful vocal on) Big Maybelle's "Ramblin' Blues" with Krase's horn like harp solo.
After her jaunty reworking of Memphis Minnie's "Kissin' in the Dark," the album closes with an instistent vocal on Johnny Copeland's "Down on Bended Knee," where she begs her man to please come back to me. A solid performance that ends another solid recording by this Houston blues queen.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of Trudy performing.
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