Lady A Is Doin' Fine

Lady A
Doin' Fine
Self-produced

Seattle's Blues Diva, Lady A (Anita White), has a new soul-blues recording that should appeal to a broad spectrum of blues fans. Produced by guitarist and bassist Dexter Allen (of the Bobby Rush Band) and pianist Joey Robinson (who plays some drums here), this recording is mostly comprised of originals that evoke some of the classic Malaco and Elko Records.

This is solidly played and she is a very solid vocalist who suggests Denise LaSalle on the opening title track. Here  she sings about waking up and being ready for the weekend, loving life and doing fine as Mississippi is like her second home and also  tells of singing her heart out at B.B. King's. The band shines with tight backing with Allen providing a nifty repeated figure. It is followed by a walking tempo funky blues, "The Ride," with its hook line "Life is like a ride," but one must keep the faith in everything you do but the road can turn on you. An adaptation of Junior Parker's "Next Time You See Me" is presented as "Next Time U C Me" and credited to Lady A (it does appear she may have contributed some new lyrics), and is a nice shuffle performance with Allen taking a solid solo while Richardson plays organ as well as piano.

"Tryin' To Get Over," is a soulful number with an outstanding vocal, where Allen's use of wah-wah along with the groove evokes some of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's later recordings. "That Man" is a tough soul-blues number that againsuggests classic Denise LaSalle with a bass line that evokes Johnny Taylor's hit, "Last Two Dollars." "Throw Down" is a funky party blues where she instructs partying folks on the dance floor to throw hands in the air or clap in a soulful fashion.

Lady A distinguishes herself with her heartfelt vocals, while the backing led by Allen and Richardson supports and enhances the first-rate soul-blues here.

I received from my review copy from Lady A. Here is her performing The Beatles' "Come Together," as she says in her own way.