2016 – Ad Litteram
By Phillip Smith; April 2, 2016
The latest album, Angel’s 11 by Quebec songstress Angel Forrest is quite a terrific record. It features eleven original blues-laden tracks,
each spotlighting a different guitarist to back Forrest’s powerful vocals.
There’s something intriguing about
the topic of dodging the law, when it comes to music and song. That’s the hook in “Hangman”, featuring Johnny Flash on guitar. This ripping track satisfies my craving for
both blues-rock and outlaw country. “Tumbleweed”,
with Dimitri Lebel-Alexandre is
another really cool song with that western vibe. Forrest
beautifully sings this heartfelt melody about longing for a lost love.
“Spoil Me Up” is a sexy and
soulful treat with a delightful horn arrangement. Steve
Strongman plays this one with precision. The lady sings the blues so good
in “Let Me Go”, featuring Kim Greenwood
on guitar. Greenwood is a monster on the guitar, and when he lets loose, it
sounds fantastic. Forrest and guitarist Corey
Diabo give an electric performance on the manic “Wildflower”. While Forrest
belts out a powerful delivery to “Touch Of My Hand”, axe-man Shane Murphy injects a heavy dose of
psyche-blues for some really trippy results.
The other guest guitarists
are Rob MacDonald, Ricky Paquette, Paul DesLauriers, Steve Hill,
and Adam Karch. Angel’s
11 is such a fantastic album, musically and lyrically, it definitely lands
as one of my favorites of the year.
