Satisfied- An Anthology
VizzTone, 2023
10/10
Listen to Satisfied- An Anthology
A founding member of Saffire- The Uppity Blues Women, Gaye Adegbalola has enjoyed a lengthy career on her own, and the songs here span 9 of her solo projects across the 20 selections.
“Big Ovaries, Baby” begins the listen with soulful backing vocals and plenty of rhythm complementing Adegbalola’s smooth and powerful pipes amid the flowing blues climate, and “Look At The Forehead, Maury” follows with a toe tappin’, head bobbin’ energy that’s melodic and instantly memorable.
Further on, the warm piano of “Let It Be Me” guides the intimate duet of gorgeous, empowering singing, while “The Cleanest Kid” uses call and response vocals for the highly animated, dance floor ready retro rocker.
Closer to the end, the Southern spirit of “Winona- For Mrs Fannie Lou Hamer” uses harmonica strategically alongside Adegbalola’s very expressive pipes, and “Lift Every Voice And Sing (With Prologue)” comes with some educating on the background of the spiritual, anthemic finish that’s uplifting and radiates so much vitality.
A women with an unwavering independence, Adegbalola bares her soul here, and it makes for a wise, humorous and robust collection of blues that showcases her life’s work that the world needs more of.
Travels well with: Hannah PK- Blues All Over My Shoes; Annika Chambers & Paul Deslauriers- Good Trouble