Misty Blues – Other Side Of Blue
Guitar One Records
11 songs time – 45:07
This is my third go-round with Misty Blues featuring the powerhouse vocals of Gina Coleman and her band that serve up a mélange of R&B, blues and roots music in fine form. All the songs are written or co-written by Gina.
Gina starts things off with the more powerful & throaty version of her voice with the self-explanatory “I’ve Got Vices”. One of my favorite lyrics is “I’m taking my coffee intravenously”. She employs a strong but lighter voice on the funky and upbeat on “Maybe I Could”. Funkiness carries over to “Trust Ain’t Given”, that includes a way cool scratchy guitar riff and crazy good extended organ solo. A percussion break-down about at the mid-point and cool sax as usual.
Synth and funky guitar create a boisterous foundation for Gina’s poignant vocal delivery. Seth Fleischmann’s gonzo guitar solo adds to the energy. Needless to say, the funk proceeds on the toe-tapper “Easy Peasy”. The guitar organ and sax meld into a joyous musical mayhem. The tempo eases up for the atmospheric “Three Mississippi’s”. Moody saxophone and heavenly backing vocals add to the mood.
Guitar, sax and keyboard in tandem kick off “Yes I Will”, that has Gina delivering a super-soulful vocal performance. Another intense guitar solo here as well. Did someone say funk? You receive another hearty helping in “You’ll Feel My Blues”. “Carry On This Way” is propelled by a heavy bass, guitar and organ assault with sax bringing up the rear.
Kick drum and hand claps and backing vocals lead into organ washes and slithering slide guitar that support the gospel-inflected vocals on “Saving Grace”. Can’t stop the funk, as “I Ain’t Buying (featuring Bob Stannard)” closes the show in high gear with assistance from Bob Stannard’s harmonica competing with guitar, sax and organ.
Except for a few tunes, things are pretty much an energized affair. Dust off your dancing shoes as the music washes over you in fine fashion. Gina and her crew are an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.
