Lisa Lystam Family Band - Give You Everything

2016 –  Ramasound Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 29, 2016

I have nothing but the best things to say about the latest album from Lisa Lystam Family Band, Give You Everything.  Hailing from Sweden, this terrific blues band is fronted by vocalist Lisa Lystam, who has been called “The New Swedish Sensation” by Jefferson Blues Magazine , the world’s oldest blues magazine still in print.  Along with Lystam, this amazing band consists of guitarists Mattias Gustafsson and Fredrik Karlsson, drummer Patrik Thelin, bassist Johan Sund, and Mikael Fall on harmonica.  Blues singer, Ida Bang also appears as a backing vocalist.  Bang, together with Lystam, are known as The Tornadettes when performing with the acclaimed Danish bluesman Thorbjørn Risager.  Risager also makes a guest appearance on the album singing alongside Lystam in the beautifully melancholy duet “Something is Wrong”.   

It’s hard to beat the riveting blues-funk-infused “Give You Everything”.  Delicious and swampy, it’s a jamboree of outstanding slide guitar, sweet harp, and vocals dripping with attitude.  “Changes” is one hell of a track as well.  Lystam attacks this with a more soulful approach, while the rhythm section keeps the energy high.  This favorite of mine closes out with a heaping dose of bodacious SRV-inspired guitar licks.  Lystam’s vocals on “Worship Me” are rocking and sexy, while the dual guitar gives the song its unique hook.  The swampy slide in “Get Up and Move” is wonderful, and rich.  I could listen to this bluesy treat all day long. 

This fabulous group of musicians is blessed with an amazing amount of talent, excelling in both writing and performance.  I really hope I get a chance to see them play live sometime.