Calvin aside, we now commence Bluesy Wednesday…
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[6.67]
Alfred Soto: A lissome hurdy-gurdy of a tune and performance, reminiscent of the Latin Playboys if Erykah Badu fronted them.
[6]
Anthony Easton: An ass-shaking masterpiece that does the mysterious thing of having a steel spine of total control while appearing to break down completely. So close to noise, but with distinct harmonies, in ways that seem both historically minded (didn’t James Brown have this trick? Surely Bo Diddley did) and completely new (can we please get her and Brittany Howard into some sort of super group?) Might be the best sing-along single this year.
[9]
Brad Shoup: Delightfully, it sounds like she’s merged country with Tishoumaren. Thus, she has no need to keen, only to twirl those guitars like a lasso whilst drawling out the hoedown.
[8]
Edward Okulicz: Wonderful groove, a voice that has just the right sound to exhort you to swing and shake, but the song on top is a bit static and stiff, like everyone (except maybe the backing vocalists) needed another drink prior to the recording.
[6]
Juana Giaimo: In “Shakedown”, Valerie June’s voice is too flat, repeating one scheme that never fully develops into something else that may provide excitement in a song that pretends to be upbeat and fun.
[5]
Ryo Miyauchi: Rather than stand out as the frontwoman of the show, Valerie June gets lost in the thick of the music. Her instructions to get down on the floor might not seem so urgent, but the blues breakdown does so much of the talking, she’s fine to ride along with the rest of us.
[6]