CD Review: Joyann Parker, "Out of the Dark"

 

It's been quite a while since I published a review of a Country Blues singer but the wait is over.  I just listened to Joyann Parker singing songs from her new CD release "Out of the Dark".  There is no way I could pass over reviewing this Blues/Country/Rock/Gospel Vocalist.  She is the real thing with a voice that is strong, covers several octaves and performs effortlessly.  Her singing is natural and real and she would be a welcomed addition to any fine Country-Western band.  Her voice and singing reveal a strong attachment to Old-school Country and Blues.  Joyann is a big fan of Patsy Cline because "she sang from her soul" and that's exactly what Joyann does.   As wonderful as Joyann's voice is, her greatest talent may be in her composing ability.  All 11 songs on the CD were written by Joyann and Guitarist Mark Lamoine.  If she keeps writing songs like these 11,  her songbook will be very valuable in the coming years.  The lyrics on these songs ring true to anyone even with minimal life experience.  

I spent a lot of time going back and forth listening to the songs on this CD trying to pick two.  Turns out they are all terrific and and different in terms of their feel.   But limited to two picks, I picked the title tune "Out of the Dark" and I just could not skip ""Dirty Rotten Guy".  "Out of the Dark" was inspired by the virus lockdown which stopped just about everything.  Parker says, "It's about the way I've been feeling and changing over the past year, figuring out who I am.  I was coming out of my own darkness."  "Dirty Rotten Guy" is just a fun New Orleans flavored ode to a pleasure song.  Pianist Tim Wick provides perfect keyboard work to support Parker.

                                                                    "Out of the Dark"

                                                                     "Dirty Rotten Guy"

PLAYERS:

Joyann Parker- lead vocals, Guitar 2, 9, 10,  Keyboard 3, 4, 11

Mark Lamoine- Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar 5, Background Vocals 1

Tim Wick- Piano- Organ

Brad Schaefer- Bass

Bill Golden- Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals 1

Rich Manik- Flute 9, Saxophones 8, 9

Dave Foley- Trumpet 6

Paul Mayasich- Slide Guitar 5

Laycey Dreamz- Background Vocals 2, 11

Patricia Lacy- Background Vocals 2, 11

Geoff Jones- Background Vocals 8

Kenny Britt- Background Vocals 8

Rory Hoffman- Harmonica 3

Greg Byers- Strings 4, 11

PLAYLIST:

1. Gone So Long

2. Carry On

3. Bad Version Of Myself

4. What Did You Expect

5. Either Way

6. Predator

7. Dirty Rotten Guy

8. Come On Baby (Take Me Dancing)

9. Fool For You

10. Hit Me Like A Train

11. Out Of The Dark

CD Review: Cathy Segal-Garcia, "Straight Ahead to the UK"

 

Cathy Segal-Garcia is a remarkably talented Vocalist who also Composes and Arranges beautiful music.  She came to mind recently in August of 2020 when I reviewed a new CD  from Mayita Dinos,  "The Garden Is My Stage".   Cathy Segal-Garcia has a major part in producing this CD and putting together the talented musicians who supported Mayita on her recording.  So I checked out "YouTube" to find out what Cathy has been doing in the past few years and it turns out that she has been very busy creating  beautiful new music.  I was particular interested in a CD that Cathy actually recorded in 2011 on a trip to England.  The CD sat on the shelf for a long time until she appeared on the Clifford Bell radio show in LA and he suggested that she pull it off the shelf and rework it as a new release.  This turned out to be an excellent idea.  Cathy brought the rough cuts to Engineer John Leftwich who turned them into musical gems.

The trip to England was arranged by an old friend of Cathy's, Super Sax player, Andy Macintosh.  Andy also secured some of the best Jazz players in England to join him and Cathy on this CD.  The CD contains a mix of original songs written by Cathy and some evergreens that never get old.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is a very sensitive rendition of the classic Hoagy Carmichael song, "I Get Along Without You".  Cathy Segal-Garcia is at her very best singing this tune.  It feels like she is having a very private and heart-felt conversation with the listener.  This recording certifies her remarkable understanding of Lyric that all Jazz singers should strive for.  The second song, "Shake It Down" was composed by Cathy after being inspired by a girl friend who loves to dance.   Enjoy!

Players:

Cathy Segal-Garcia-Vocals, composer, cuts 3, 6, 7, 8, 13

Carey Frank- Hammond B3 Organ 

Background Vocals- Bill Redd, Irene Cathaway

Guest Vocalist-Norma Winstone

Bassists- Paul Morgan, Laurence Cottle, John Leftwich

Piano-Cliff Hall, John Pearce, Roy Hilton

Synth Pads- John Leftwich

Drums- Ian Thomas

Trumpet- Simon Gardner

Saxes- Andy Macintosh

Percussion Brad Dutz

Playlist:

1. Wheelers and Dealers

2. Highwire

3. Hippityville

4. Sermonette

5. I Get Along Without You

6. Shake It Down

7. Recipe of Love

8. Song 4 Sandy

9. Something We May Never Know

10. Dreamsville

11. Gypsy In My Soul

12. Last Night When We Were Young

13. Hippityville

                                                              "I Get Along Without You"

                                                                       "Shake It Down"