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No criticisms can be raised about Davies fluid, biting fretwork. She learned a lot playing with the late Albert Collins, and like her former boss, makes use of space, as well as tone, in her fleet improvisations. Her vocals are heartfelt, sung without artifice and ring with conviction. The rhythm section is also on point and provide strong support on tunes like the opening "Life of the Party," a straight-forward boogaloo number with interesting, ironic lyrics. "Let the Heartaches Begin," a duet with Terry Hanck is a superb swamp-pop styled tune with wonderful vocals. There is also Davies fine, precise guitar followed by Hanck's slightly raspy sax.
Vocalist Jay Stollman joins Debbie on the funky R&B flavored "Don't Change It Up" on which Scott Spray guests on bass. There is nice organ coloring Debbie's focused guitar pyrotechnics. "As long as it sets your soul free" she sings against a loping rhythm on "It's All Blues." Davies gets playful on the rocker, "I'm Not Cheatin' Yet," with has a booting Hanck solo. Davies shows her humorous side telling of her man's illusions about being sexy and dreaming of trading Debbie in for "Two Twenty-Five-Year-Olds." She ingeniously incorporates an Eddie Taylor riff into her tune. A jazzy sophistication is exhibited on "A Darker Side Of Me," adding to the variety heard here.
A slide guitar showcase, "Way Back Home," that uses the "Rollin' and Tumblin'" groove to close out this album. There is a nice mix of material on this that Debbie Davies delivers with more than a little panache resulting in another most entertaining recording from her.
I received my review copy from Vizz-Tone. This review appeared originally in Jazz & Blues Report, but I have made significant changes (Most stylistic) from that review. Here is Debbie in performance.
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