Sandy Atkinson & The True Loves – Have A Good Time Tonight
Gator Blues Publishing
12 tracks/39 minutes
Sandy Atkinson and her band hail from the Tampa Bay area where they appear regularly. She has opened and played with many a storied band. Her bandmates are Cannon Quinn, Dean Germain, Dennis McCarthy, and Jeff ‘Stick’ Davis who back her well. This is her seventy album and she is a seasoned songwriter and vocalist who blends blues, rock and Americana in her songs. There are nine originals and three tasteful covers.
The title track starts the set off. It’s a jumping cut with a great groove. Next is “Got The Wrong Number,” a slower blues that shuffle along nicely. Here the topic revolves around a breakup where one of the former partners expects post-relationship benefits, which Sandy corrects in no uncertain terms. “Memphis Gets Crazy” features some slide, saxophone and piano, all to good effect. Sarasota Slim is featured on guitar on “Way Down Deep In The Blues,” a slow and very somber cut that Sandy sings in a breathless fashion.
Things rock out with “It Ain’t No Sin,” a rousing and jumping cut with strident guitar and a slick groove. Atkinson howls out the vocals as this builds and builds to a big finish. The first cover is John Hiatt’s “Feel Like Rain.” Sandy’s performance is laid back and gives the listener an emotional performance. The guitar licks are restrained and cool. “Mama Bear” is a swinging, jumping blues cut that hearkens perhaps to the Stray Cats. The tenor sax is delightful and the organ and guitar solos are also slick as Atkinson sings in a breathy manner. Howlin’ Wolf’s “Cause Of It All” features the guitar and organ in a very laid back delivery.
“Not Gonna Miss You” gets a little country going as Sandy tells her man there ain’t no feelings left for him in their relationship. The guitar helps sell the country feeling. There is some wicked slide here in Junkies and Hookers” along with more breathy vocals. “Web Top Checker” follows, a cut penned by Tampa Bay blues legend David “Rock Bottom” York. He was from Indiana and made a name for himself upon transplanting himself to the Tampa area. He passed in 2001 and Atkinson pays him homage with this gritty cut with greasy harp and dark bass line. The finale is ‘No More Me And You,” a quiet acoustic piece with a little electric guitar layered over sweetly. Sandy sings with emotion as she closes out this set of mostly new tunes.
Atkinson and company deliver some well-crafted new songs and three good covers for the listener. She sings with deep emotion and the band delivers a dozen nice performances. Well Done!
