Patty Reese Let in the Sun

Patty Reese
Let in the Sun
Azalea City Recordings

Washington DC area roots-rock stylist and songwriter Patty Reese is a favorite among audiences in the Nation's Capital area. About this album (her fourth) she states, "This collection of songs is an honest representation of who I am, where I come from and where my heart is. The Blues remains the rock on which I have built every song I’ve ever written. I also love to incorporate songs by artists that inspire me and this time it was Steve Earle and Bob Dylan.” Backing her on the nine originals and two covers guitarist Jonathan Sloane; bassist Sonny Petrosky; drummer Andy Hamburger and Tommy Lepson on keys (co-producer with Reese).

Opening with a swampy blues "Is It Too Late For Me?," she proves adept in mixing in references to black cats and killing chains in a performance about searching for a happy home and saving herself from a devil's campaign with an emphatic groove and blues-rock slide. "Your Love" is a Texas blues-rock shuffle as she celebrates her love as a rock to build her home, a feather to make a bed and more. "Soul Satisfier" is a horn driven piece of danceable funk that she belts out while Sloane rocks out a bit in guitar as Lepson provides some grease with his organ, while she sings in a sultry fashion on "I Won't Let You Down," as she sings that when the world leaves you cold, "I won't you down." Her vocals throughout are full of heart and honesty

Other high-points include "Open A Window, Let In The Sun," a roots rocker with a gospel accent with Brian Simms on keyboards and Dave Chappell on guitar and "Awesome Sauce" a dance-able number with a New Orleans styled groove and blues-rock slide guitar evocative of Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken." "I Hear a Lie" is a moving country-rooted lament followed by a fresh interpretation of Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright."

Steve Earle's lovers lament "Goodbye" is the closing track and Reese heartfelt singing of her regrets on this moving country performance is standout selection on a solid collection of performances that show her range as a performer and songwriter.

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the March-April 2017  Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 371). Here Patty performs, ""Is It Too Late For Me?"