Kat Riggins & Her Blues Revival – Revival
House of Berry Productions
10 songs – 35 minutes
A petite powder keg packed in a pleasant package, Kat Riggins is on a mission. Since emerging on the South Florida blues scene about 20 years ago, the energetic alto’s been a force to be reckoned with in her effort to keep the music alive for current and future generations. And, as evidenced by two Blues Music Award nominations for her most recent albums, Cry Out and Progeny, the world’s been listening.
But Miami native’s fight is far from complete. The blues belter hits with force of a hurricane as she carries her mission forward with the ten motivational tracks on this disc, which already is soaring to the top of the charts and will probably receive similar recognition.
Now in her early 40s with six CDs to her credit, Kat grew up in a home where her parents’ eclectic musical tastes – everything from gospel and R&B to country and more — provided the soundtrack of her life. She’s come a lo-o-ong way since 2003, when she made her debut with piano accompaniment at a lounge in Sunny Isles Beach. She sang blues and jazz standards, but the audience was drawn to raw talent she possessed.
Owning a raspy set of pipes with a voice that goes from a whisper to comparisons to one of her idols, Koko Taylor, and a stage presence that’s far larger than herself, Riggins now delivers a potently soulful mix of blues, R&B, gospel and rock that’s guaranteed to get your hips shaking and toes tapping format. It’s a format that’s taken her around the world and made her beloved performer on both sides of the Atlantic.
This set was produced, mixed and mastered by Tim Mulberry at House of Berry Studios in Lake City, Fla. He and Kat teamed to co-wrote all of the material, and he adds bass, drums, keys and horns, too. Erik Guess provides lead guitar and Shaelyn Mulberry and Mark Barner deliver backing vocals throughout.
A rapid-fire keyboard run introduces “Lucky,” before Kat announces her intent to please the crowd: “I know just what I like/I like to wheel and whine/And bump and grind/And get on down tonight.” An uptempo rocker, Guess’ fretwork soars and the chorus takes you to church on the breaks. The message continues in “Revived,” which states: “Look at my new walk/I’m stepping high/I got a real good feeling inside/Feeling revived.”
The tempo changes but remains upbeat for “Southern Soul,” which keeps the party going, before the intense, driving “New Level” comes with the message: “I’ve got a new attitude to match my dreams…and it’s plain to see, I’ve got to be me.” Despite being one of the brightest “new” stars in the blues world, Kat’s desire for more comes through in the plaintive ballad “Set Me Free,” which states: “Now why oh why keep trying/My patience is dying/Set me free.”
It gives way to the jazzy rocker “Mojo Thief,” which advises that you’ve got to do your own work to achieve your goals and gives way to “Chasin’ Time,” a number that stresses the need for persistence, noting: “I can’t rush into tomorrow/Or get back to yesterday.”
The fiery “Mighty” advises that the meek should inherit the earth before the hard-rocker, “Old Time Way,” delivers a tribute to the way music used to be before the thoughtful and quiet ballad, “Healer,” expresses the hope that Riggins can bring peace, love and hope to everyone in earshot.
Give this one a listen. There’s a strong chance Kat will succeed.
