Markey Blue - Ric Latina Project Raised in Muddy Water

Markey Blue - Ric Latina Project
Raised in Muddy Water
Ellersoul Records

It has been several years that singer Jeannette Markey (Markey Blue) and guitarist Latina impressed on her recording "Hey Hey." About that recording I concluded "There is so much to enjoy about this release from the strong backing, good original songs and Ms. Markey’s heartfelt, persuasive vocals. Markey Blue certain makes fans of blues and soul take note with this." Certainly much can be said about this recording of blues-tinged rock, swampy soul and blues. Listening to the impressive opening title track and "Corinne Shine," I think more of southern rock and Little Feat than Jimmy Reed and Jody Williams, but that is simply categorizing these finely performed songs. Markey is a really good singer with plenty of heart and Latino is a noteworthy guitarist as he shows behind her very fervent singing on "A Little More I Die (An Ode to John Payne)."

Credit must be given to her backing band of John Marcus on bass, Marcus Finnie on drums, Shannon Winnie on keyboards, Jim Williamson on trumpet and Doug Moffet on saxophone. But the songs are excellent as the afore-mentioned "A Little More I Die," or the driving shuffle "Red Room," on which Ronnie Owens is overdubbed on harmonica, "Mississippi Soul," with Latino's atmospheric Duane Allman styled slide or the rocking boogaloo rocker with Eddie Clearwater and horns added, "I Like It Like This." There there is a terrific, moody blues "Walking Over This Line," where Markey sings about a love gone wrong and taking too long to leave.

There is the swampy blues rock of the Delbert McClinton tribute "Come and Go," and the closing bonus track that was recorded live, a lively blue shuffle, "Drowning in His Ocean," as she joyously celebrates a lover. Markey Blue continues to deliver as a singer and songwriter with some strong guitar and excellent backing making for another notable recording.

I received from my review copy from Ellersoul. This review appears in the September-October 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 380). Here is a live 2017 performance clip of the Markey Blue - Ric Latina Project