GAYE ADEGBALOLA Neo-Classic Blues

GAYE ADEGBALOLA
Neo-Classic Blues
HOT TODDY MUSIC

This is Gaye Adegbalola’s most recent “embrace” of the classic blues and the classic blues women, Accompanied by pianist Roddy Barnes, Gaye interprets some well- known, and rescues some more obscure songs from the earliest days of blues recording. In addition, she sings several originals that are presented in the same vein as the early blues foremothers.

From the opening moments of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom to the last notes of Roddy Barnes’ Summer Sky, we are treated to some exquisite performances. There is a fair number of selections associated with Ma Rainey in addition to the opening track that include Yonder Come the Blues, Prove It to Me, and the immortal See See Rider, all of which Gaye delivers wonderfully with Barnes’ complimentary backing. The bawdy The Dirty Dozens receives spirited treatment as does does Lucille Bogan’s BD Woman Blues. Another Bogan song, Sloppy Drunk, is taken at a distinctively slower tempo than Ann Rabson performs the number with Saffire. Gaye’s original, Twisted Woman Blues fits in seamlessly with Sippie Wallace’s Up the Country Blues, while her ballad How Can I Say I Miss You, compliments her rendition of the Duke Ellington-Paul Webster classic, I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good. 

A couple of songs from blues history are also refreshed by Gaye here, Perry Bradford’s Crazy Blues, the bluesy Perry Bradford song that Mamie Smith recorded to launch the blues craze, and Alberta Hunter’s Down Hearted Blues that was Bessie Smith’s first recording. In addition to the wonderful performances, Gaye provides short but insightful comments on all the songs. This is simply a marvelous disc of blues performed with so much heart and panache that is unreservedly recommended.

This review appeared originally in the July-August 2004 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 269). I likely received a review copy from a publicist. This still should be available at finer sellers. Here is a video of Gaye and Roddy Barnes performing I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good.