look: Roxy Perry - Back In Bluesville - BluePerry Hill Records - BUY

listen:

Back In Bluesville

Whole Dog

Crooked Path

buy:

Since Roxy Perry won the honor of "Best Self-Produced CD" at this year's Blues Foundation Awards, in Memphis, TN, the group is carrying on their hot New York Blues tradition with a new CD in the works. Her longtime partner, Dave Fields, who arranged and produced "Back In Bluesville", is definitely at his best on this CD. "Back In Bluesville" is such a great effort that we thought you'd like to know all about it and the Roxy Perry band.

The Band consists of Roxy Perry on Vocals and harp, Dave Fields on Guitar and Keyboards, Tim DeHuff on guitar, Eric Merovitch on sax, Bob Fusco on bass, and Linda Geiger on drums. Mat Baxter appears on Dobro on this CD, as does Bill Holloman on horns. The arrangements by Dave Fields are extraordinary, with solid punch and great horn and rhythm lines. The first tune, "Back In Bluesville" will knock your socks off! Great care with the arrangements and the extra fine-tuning of the production is what makes this CD sizzle and it's what won Perry the award in Memphis. We were lucky enough to see the band play there, and it's not to wonder why they took the crowd by storm. They rock out!

Each tune here is a perfected sojourn into many Blues styles, from the funky, soulful "Whole Dog" to the Delta-styled Crooked Path", with its smooth slide Dobro work, the many styles covered make this work. Roxy sings with fine voice and real conviction, making each tune unique. Her vocal on "Nothing Like You" sparkles with a Thirties songstress style, and it even features a great guitar solo in that early style, right along with great brass work. Every tune is carefully managed, so it all comes off as a great listen.

The nice thing about Perry is that she is a sultry and fiery singer, playing harp with a ferocious intent that one doesn't see among the Female Blues players out there. Her fiery performance onstage is backed up by her tight and crack band of sidemen (& women) that rocks every seat in the house. For more info on the group, try their website at www.roxyperry.com. The CD is available right here from either CDBaby or bandvillage, so be sure and pick up this gem.

(©) 2006, Gary W. Miller
BluesSource.com