Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Voodoo Man by Black Betty & the Bad Habits


Voodoo Man cover art

Artist: Black Betty & the Bad Habits
Title: Voodoo Man
Catalogue Number: No catalogue number
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 2006



This band rocks to the beat of a thumping bass and solid drums, and are perfectly accompanied by powerhouse vocals that fall somewhere between Joan Jett and Janis Joplin.  Black Betty however eschews the classic rock chick image in favour of more of a retro and iconic Betty Page look - a sort of burlesque & roll.  Don't be fooled though, Betty can certainly belt out rock songs with the best of them.


The title track "Voodoo Man" is liberally peppered with a swamp blues sound that gives it extra depth, and although it is in some ways atypical of the rest of the album, it is certainly one of the real highlights.  "Can't See The Sunshine" has just a hint of a funky beat that gives an edge to the rock sound; while "Big Slim" comes across as a collision of Sabbath and George Thorogood, and sees Betty replaced on vocals by guitarist John Kenning.  On the other hand "All Right Now" is rock in its purest form - 100% proof and definitely one that should be taken undiluted to get the full impact.


The only down side to the CD is its length.  Only seven tracks long it may be, fortunately though it comes up with the goods on all of them.  On this evidence Betty is clearly a girl who can show you a good time ... or a bad time - and she has the habits to do both!


www.blackbettyrocks.com
Reviewer:
Review Date: June 20 2007