Ms Zeno The Mojo Queen Back in Love

Ms Zeno The Mojo Queen
Back in Love
Blue Lotus Recordings

While I heard about Ms Zeno, it was not until I heard perform with my friend Memphis Gold, that I had a chance to experience this powerful singer. Originally from Louisiana, she moved to Memphis after Little Milton heard her, and had her join his backing vocal group. After several years she launched her solo career with Albert King helping introduce her to Beale Street where she became an institution. When B.B. King's Memphis Club opened, Ms Zeno & the Famous Unknowns became the house band. Recently after some personal issues were resolved, she signed with Blue Lotus Recordings and made this album of twelve original songs.

This session is produced by label head Paul Niehaus IV who plays bass, guitar, drums, keys, tenor sax, vocals, mandolin, and French horn on this along with Kevin O’Connor who contributes drums, guitar, keys, baritone & tenor sax, and trumpet as well. Special guests include guitarist G Weevil who appears on 4 selections and harmonica wizard Brandon Santini who appears on two. Guest vocals are provided on various tracks by Gene Jackson and Roland Johnson, while Dustin Shrum contributes trumpet, and Tom Martin lends his accordion to one selection. The strings of Andy Hainz on cello; Mark Hochberg on viola; and Abbie Steiling on violin sweeten three selections. Ms Zeno, Paul Niehaus IV and Gene Jackson have their hand in the twelve originals here.

As mentioned, I have seen Ms Zeno appearing with Memphis Gold, but as much as enjoyed seeing her perform, listening to her here impressed me even more on a recording centered on deep soul and soul-blues. As a singer, she impresses with not simply her power or sense of dynamics (ranging a pussycat's purr to a lioness roar), but the authority she manifests that is evident on the opening title track, a surging Memphis soul number. After her celebrating being back in love, she sings a bluesy lament. "In My Shoes," as her romance is falling apart. It is one of several tracks with strings and has a feel of a classic Hi Records recording.

There is the brassy "That's How I Know," with a groove reminiscent of Tyrone Davis and other deep soul Chicago singers, as she sings about her man being satisfied with her and she is satisfied with how he treats her. Then the mood shifts to the down-home blues of "Willie Brown," with the effective guitar-harmonica accompaniment from Little G Weevil and Brandon Santini and rhythm. There is even a touch of zydeco on "Mojo Queen," and a topical "Rise Up," "Love Is Like a Flower" is another terrific performance with striking lyrics and a fervent, commanding vocal and tough horn-driven arrangement, while Weevil and Santini are on "Call My Name," a duet with Gene Jackson set against an insistent groove.

Throughout, her robust vocals are performed without artifice or hysterics. In addition to Ms Zeno's singing, the backing is superb this throughout. Producer Paul Niehaus IV and Kevin O’Connor put together a marvelous backing even although they obviously employ overdubbing, while the guests are seamlessly incorporated into the songs of this terrific release by Ms Zeno.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 381). Here is a clip of Ms Zeno performing.