Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Bitter Sweet Blues by Gaye Adegbalola


Bitter Sweet Blues cover art

Artist: Gaye Adegbalola
Title: Bitter Sweet Blues
Catalogue Number: Alligator ALCD4870
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 1999



I got this second hand for £5, purely on the basis of it being on the Alligator label.  As it turned out it would have been a bargain at two or even three times the price.  Gaye Adegbalola is probably better known as one the Uppity Blues Women, however this solo project shows she can deliver the goods on her own as well.


It would be worth buying this for two unbelievably stunning songs alone, even if every other track on the CD were awful (which they're not in case you were wondering).  The gospel inspired harmonies of "Let Go, Let God"; and the phenomenal "Nightmare" - a song about incest and child abuse which demonstrates just how to write a contemporary social-commentary song with such heart & soul that it will stop you in your tracks (the current crop of whining singer-songwriters should take note).  Both tracks feature excellent acoustic slide guitar performances from Rory Block, who also does a fine production job throughout.


The rest of this is pretty good as well with "Big Ovaries Baby" and "She Just Wants to Dance" being worthy of special mention as does the humorous "The Dog Was Here First".  Along with Ma Rainey, Nina Simone and Smokey Robinson covers there really is something here for every blues fan.  And let's face it you have to respect a woman who boasts about the size of her ovaries!


www.adegbalola.com
Reviewer:
Review Date: June 21 2007