Casey Hensley Good As Gone

Casey Hensley
Good As Gone
Vizztone

When Big Brother & the Holding Company opened for Love at the Fillmore in San Francisco, Love's Arthur Lee said, in effect, after watching Janis Joplin, that "screaming ain't soulful." To these ears, I would apply this to Casey Hensley's singing. There can be no question that she brings plenty of power and passion to her performances, just like Joplin. Hensley has a tendency to comes across as overwrought for my taste, although there are songs on which she displays restraint. Tastes will differ, and undoubtedly many of you will respond much more favorably to her singing than I do.

My reservations are a shame since she certainly has a certain charisma about her, and she has a terrific supporting band led by guitarist Laura Chavez, who also produced this recording. Chavez is a guitarist who commands attention as much as Hensley may as a singer. Chavez lays down some slashing guitar on the opening "Good As Gone," with some unexpected twists and turns in the solo. Then on "You Should Be So Lucky," Chavez evokes Magic Sam but expands on the West Side Chicago blues legend's approach with her own extension of it.

There are songs such as the easy swinging, "What Do You Say," with Hensley taking a tempered approach to her vocals. Another song that stands out is "Love Will Break Your Heart," where Chavez evokes Ike Turner with some shattering fretwork. Then there is the soulful ballad, "Don't Want It to Stop," that illustrates just how good a songwriter she is. Given the first-rate songs, the excellent backing she receives, and Laura Chavez's striking guitar, it is frustrating to not be able to praise without reservations about her singing. I realize that my reservations may be in the minority.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here is a live performance by Casey Hensley.