Fabrizio Poggi – Healing Blues
Appaloosa Records
10 tracks
Fabrizio Poggi is following up his Basement Blues release with another dip into his archives of material and has added some exceptional songs with his band and singer Shar White on vocals. Poggi has been nominated for a Grammy, Blues Music Awards and a host of other things in his storied career in Italy, here in America and beyond. With 26 albums under his belt, 4 books and countless live and television appearances, he is an accomplished harp player, performer and songwriter. He’s appeared with dozen of great performers and is blues royalty since becoming a Knight of Merit of the Italian Republic. Artists joing him on this album are noted in each track.
“I Want Jesus To Walk With Me” is a traditional spiritual piece with Shar White delivering some powerful vocals. Poggi is on harp, Francesco Marcheselli delivers some haunting oboe, Enrico Polverari plays restained guitar and Stefano Spina is on organ. Thoughtful and impressive work here by all involved. “Pilgrim” is an archival piece with the same players as above and with Stefano Resca on drums and percussion and Tino Cappelletti on bass. Poggi handles vocals on this mid-tempo cut with a drivinggroove and lots of Poggi’s slick harp.
The next cut was recorded at Poggi’s homes for his wife’s birthday. “Song For Angelina” is a duet with Guy Davis who sings and plays guitar while Poggi blows harp. It’s a pretty piece, a sweet ballad with acoustic guitar and lilting harmonica. “You Gotta Move Take 2” is another duet from his archives with Poggi being helped out by Polveri on guitar. This is a cool shuffle with Poggi singing and blowing with feeling along with some nice acoustic guitar work.
Guy Davis and Poggi deliver “Sonny and Brownie’s Last Train” live on television from 2018. Davis tells a story and sings about the Last Train as Poggi offers up some cool harp to accompany Davis’guitar and vocals. The spiritual hymn “Amazing Grace” features White again on vocals with the same ensemble as the first cut. Poggi opens with some passionate harp and then White delivers a somber and sacred version of this famed hymn.
Guy and Fabrizio team up again for “Walk On” and deliver another cool performance, this time from a live performance in America.”Mr. Slowhand” comes from Hubert Dorigatti’s Mephisto and features him on vocals and guitar. In addition to Poggi’s harp we have Max Castlunger on percussion and Laura Willeit on backing vocals. It’s a cool and restrained acoustic number.
“The Blues Is Alright” features Poggi, Polverari and Spina with Claudio Noseda on organ. Another acoustic cut, this one is an outtake from Poggi’s 2014 Spaghetti Juke Joint. It’s a romping and jumping number. Poggi concludes with “Every Life Matters,” another new cut with Shar White. Polverari is on guitar and Spina plays bass, drums and organ. Another pretty ballad, this one features the crew adding some nice backing vocals. Poggi’s harp is sublime, White sings with deep emotion and the players are restrained and offer their music that adds to the feeling. The guitar solo is especially nice and Poggi follows it with equally slick harp.
I enjoyed this album. All the songs were quite good, but I especially loved the new ones with Shar White. His work with Guy Davis is also great. They seem to have a simpatico symbiotic relationship in making music together. This is a fun set of tunes and I think blues lovers will enjoy them!
