Blues Meets Girl

Blues Meets Girl
Bad Inglish Records

Blues Meets Girl is a duo comprised of British born bluesman Stephen Inglish, aka Mr. Downchild and Texas Born singer Kasimira Vogel. I am familiar with Mr. Downchild and believe I reviewed his album, "They Call Me Mr. Downchild" in 1994. He was mentored and praised by Robert Lockwood Jr., who appeared on "They Call Me Mr.Downchild" along with Sam Carr. He has recorded and released several albums since which received critical acclaim. He first met Kasimira at a festival in 2012, and a couple years later, they formed Blues Meets Girl.

On this eponymously titled recording, they are accompanied by guitarist Sean Carney, Scott Flowers on drums, and Ray Deforest on bass with Mr. Downchild on harmonica, guitar, CBG, and stompbox besides his vocals. With one exception, Mr. Downchild and Kasimira wrote all the songs. The music is mostly straight-forward Chicago styled blues starting with the opening "Nightgown." With a guitar riff evoking "Twine Time," Mr. Downchild sings vigorously about his new relationship joined in by Kasimira. Carney has a solid guitar solo, followed by Mr. Downchild's powerful harmonica. Downchild's singing also impresses or the driving rock'n'roll flavored, "Didn't See It Coming." I am not overwhelmed by Kasimira as a blues singer, although one can't fault her pitch or phrasing. I suspect she would be better suited to singing jazz or sophisticated adult pop. Still, the solid shuffle backing on "Listen Here Boys" provides a definite appeal to her singing. Her singing shows more personality on "Oh Baby," and thankfully, she never comes across as a screamer or shrill. Your ears might disagree, but I suggest her vocal on "Special Man," with jazzy backing from Carney, suggest how good she would be singing jazz.

I believe Mr. Downchild is playing the 12-string guitar on a couple numbers, including "Backstabber," where his playing suggests Leadbelly. He also adds hearty-sounding rack harmonica on this. "Snapshot," with a Howlin' Wolf evoking backing, is an intriguing performance with a whispered, almost talking, blues from Kasimira. "Home To My Baby" has an excellent vocal from Mr. Downchild set against a swamp-blues, rumba groove. Carney's solo displays his concern for tone and his restraint. Another rendition of this song is taken as a Chicago blues shuffle with Downchild blowing amplified harp. It is a bonus track for the CD. Sean Carney composed the swinging instrumental "Swinging With Hank," a scintillating feature for his imaginative, jazz-tinged playing.

Despite 'my' reservations of Kasimira's vocals, overall, there was plenty to like about "Blues Meets Girl." Mr. Downchild continues to show why Robert Lockwood, Jr. once said, "Son, I knew you was good but … I didn't know you was "That Good!" Sean Carney is superb, and the rhythm section excellent. This is a marvelous Chicago styled blues recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 387). Here is "Nightgown," from this recording.