Trudy Lynn Blues Come Knockin'

Trudy Lynn
Blues Come Knockin'
Connor Ray Music

A new release from the Houston Blues Queen, has her performing some classic songs along with the title track, which she wrote. On this Rock Romano production, she is supported by Backing Trudy’s vocals on the new disc are musicians Steve Krase – harmonica; David Carter – guitar; Randy Wall, keyboards; Terry Dry – bass; Matt Johnson – drums; Jim Brady – trumpet; and Dan Carpenter – sax; with special guests Bob Lanza and Carolyn Wonderland on guitar.

Lynn is in good voice and the veteran realizes that subtle shifts in timbre or volume make up for forced bellowing and solidly backed throughout she does nice personal renditions of a couple of Big Maybelle recordings, "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show," and "Pitiful." The latter is an especially strong performance and benefits from Bob Lanza's hot guitar and Steve Krase's harmonica embellishments. Lanza is also present on the rollicking rock and roll of the opening track "Blues Ain't Nothin'," which is led off by Krase's harmonica with Wall taking a honky tonk solo while Lanza's guitar is a mix of blues runs and Chuck Berry licks. 

A surprising cover here is of the Three Dog Night here "Never Been To Spain," that displays again how good a singer she is and her mastery of vocal dynamics, with Krase's harmonica also welcome. Horns are present on a strong rendition of Big Bill Broonzy's "When I Been Drinkin'," sung with humor and vitality along with growing trumpet from Jim Brady and Dan Carpenter's booting tenor sax. After a fine cover of Deanna Bogart's "Won't Be Long" (with Wall's boogie inflected piano and Krase's harmonica), this album closes with a heartfelt rendition of Etta James' soulful lament "Would It Make Any Difference To You," with especially fine guitar contributed by Carolyn Wonderland. 

Trudy Lynn sings superbly on this album on a variety of classic songs that have done been done to death. Backed by some fine players, she has produced another notable blues recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist.  Here is a recent performance by Trudy Lynn.