Like A PIcasso
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
The final album from the legendary Bonnie Pointer, who is of course a founding member of The Pointer Sisters, Like A Picasso was originally released in 2011, and here it lives again with bonus tracks, updated artwork, remastering, new liner notes in the packaging and a worldwide release.
Pointer places the buzzing, stylish title track in the lead off spot, where Laura Bilodeau’s precise drumming and Robin Taylor’s skilled keys complement the soulful, expressive singing, and “Hide” follows with Gary Mallaber’s thumping drums and Lloyd Poe’s bouncy bass helping make for a gritty and melodic rocker.
Further along, “You Will” makes great use of Marty Rifkin’s steel guitar in the sublime balladry that’s quite powerful, while “Long Ago”, the album’s best, recruits Taylor’s guitar and keys, and Tony Sales’ adventurous bass for the layered and lush delivery.
Moving towards the end, “He Don’t Like Love” benefits from Doc Wendell’s harmonica and Adam Reesman’s proficient drumming for the emotive appeal, and of the bonus tracks, “You Will” emits warm acoustic guitar in the poetic finish.
At this point in her career Pointer hadn’t sung a note in a studio in years, but her performance is nothing short of stunning. A superb swan song, the record possesses all the hallmarks that made Pointer’s career so luminous, where R&B, soul, pop and rock all meet at her inimitable intersection. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2020, but the widespread availability of this release will certainly help her legacy live on.
Travels well with: Diana Ross- Supertonic; Heazza- Heazza