Half & Half
Gulf Coast, 2024
9/10
The inestimable vocalist Lara Price brings her blues and soulful ways to this debut on the Gulf Coast label, where an incredible performance unfolds across 10 songs that welcome an all star cast.
The warm spirit of “We’re Still Friends” starts with Price’s powerful pipes alongside Kid Andersen’s fluid drumming and Mike Schermer’s gritty guitar, and “Evidence” follows with Trevor Nealon’s animated keys and Dr. Matthew Maldonado’s well timed sax complementing the expressive climate.
“Rain” arrives at the halfway point, and recruits a kitty purr thanks to Jamie Lee Curtis Salgado plus Nick Jay’s bass for the intimate delivery, while “Days Ago” thumps and shakes with an infectious energy via David Jimenez’s lively guitar for the album’s best.
Residing close to the end, “Trouble, Heartache, Sadness” tugs on the heartstrings thanks to Price’s inimitable pipes, where Randy Hayes handles drums, and “Heart On A String” is a glorious and upbeat finish that embraces gospel, soul and blues in spades, where Lisa Leuschner’s soaring backing vocals won’t go unnoticed.
An outstanding first effort at her new home, Price is armed with a voice you won’t soon forget, and these animated and meticulous songs are equally memorable, too.
Travels well with: Eric Bibb- In The Real World; Mike Zito- Life Is Hard