2017 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith;
Feb. 17, 2018
There is no other band quite like New York City’s Jane
Lee Hooker. Much like the Rolling
Stones, this rockin’ quintet, comprised of Dana “Danger” Athens on
lead vocals/keys, guitarists Tracy “High Top” Almazan and Tina “T-Bone”
Gorin, drummer Melissa “Cool Whip” Houston, and bassist “Hail
Mary” Zadroga, has deep roots in the Blues.
Spiritus, their sophomore
album is a ten-song mix of high-voltage rock and roll and blues deliciously delivered
with a captivating and unbridled approach.
An energetic shout-out to the famous Knucklehead
Saloon in Kansas City nicely kicks things off in a southern rocker
fashion for the opener “How Ya Doin’?” “Gimme
That” sweetly follows. The swagger in Athens’
vocals is undeniable and that Stonesy riff sounds so good. Living life to its fullest, taking charge and
taking chances takes precedence in the passionately sung “Mama Said”. The dual
guitars are terrific.
Cool
Whip and Hail Mary take no prisoners as they
forge a raw and intense groove on Big Mama Thornton’s “Black Rat”. This one is best served loud. The energy of the band radiates through their ripping
performance on Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland’s 1961 jewel “Turn On Your Love Light”.
It is a pure delight indeed. To wrap things up, Jane Lee Hooker beautifully
winds Spiritus down with a wonderful ten
minute dose of relaxing slow-cooked blues in “The Breeze” which certainly hits the
spot. I love every bit of it.
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In September of 2017, I
caught Jane Lee Hooker at the Bowlful of Blues Festival in
Newton, Iowa. It was a terrific show. The lineup was The Norman Jackson Band,
Rob Lumbard, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Mato
Nanji & Indiginous, with Jane Lee Hooker headlining. I am so glad I took my camera and captured
the event for my blog. Here’s a link to
the photos I took that day …
