Ace Of Blues
New West, 2022
8/10
It’s been almost 20 years since Angela Strehli released an album, and the veteran singer makes up for the break with 11 muscular, soulful and sultry interpretations of classic tunes, plus an excellent original.
“Two Steps From The Blues” starts the listen with bright horns, as Strehli’s deep, expressive singing enters alongside the soulful climate, and “Person To Person” follows with firm keys and thumping drums, where plenty of rhythm is present in the lively blues delivery.
Elsewhere, the bouncy and dance floor ready appeal of “You Never Can Tell” is full of animated melodies in the rugged yet harmonic album highlight, while “Gambler’s Blues” is a powerful and intimate display of gritty guitar work and Strehli’s flawless, stirring singing.
Closer to the end, the timeless blues flavor of “Take Out Some Insurance” uses strategic bass amid the dense and head bobbin’, toe tappin’ rocker, and “SRV” exits with a very pretty execution that enlists some very meticulous guitar playing to complement the poetic vocals of the lone original that serves as a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Strehli is accompanied by an excellent band, including Jim Pugh (organ, B3), Bill Gibson (drums), and Marvin McFadden (trumpet), to name a few, and it makes for an excellent come back effort for the 76 year old, who proves that she’s still got the chops for blues rock like few others ever will.
Travels well with: Gina Sicilia- Unchange; JD Taylor- The Coldwater Sessions