2021 – Ruf Records
Release Date – Jan. 27,
2021
By Phillip Smith; Jan. 23, 2021
I was first introduced to the
talents of Belgian-born blues artist Ghalia Volt with the 2018 release
of Let the Demons Out by Ghalia & Mama’s Boys. For that recording, which I absolutely loved, Ghalia
teamed up with New Orleans bluesman Johnny Mastro and Mama’s Boys. This past March she started a new one-woman
philosophy and took it Mississippi to test drive the new arrangement. According to Ghalia, “I started
playing on a real drum set, playing a kick, snare, and hi-hat plus a tambourine
with my two feet, while playing slide/guitar and singing at the same time.” So for this latest album One Woman Band
she flies solo, recording all the instruments live at once and ditching the popular
multi-track route. The recording which took
place at Royal Sound Studios in Memphis, Tennessee includes guest
appearances from Dean Zucchero on bass, and Monster Mike Welch on
guitar.
Ghalia delivers “Last Minute Packer” with pure raw gusto and powerful, yet delicate vocals which sound fantastic. Her slide guitar prowess certainly demands attention on “Espiritu Papago”. Zucchero’s steady thumping bassline solidly holds the fort down, as Ghalia’s vocal and guitar performance reaches a somewhat hypnotic state. “Can’t Escape” chugs along like a locomotive, and is slathered with gobs of swampy slide. It takes me right to the heart of the Mississippi Delta. She keeps that deep blues rolling on breakup song “Reap What You Sew”. It’s such a treat to hear her play. “Bad Apple” is undoubtedly a strong selection too. This original song is absolutely stellar. Ghalia tackles Tampa Red’s “It Hurts Me Too” with feeling and finesse, as she pours herself into the performance.
It’s obvious Ghalia Volt has spent a lot of time in the Mississippi Delta, soaking up as much of its spirit as she possibly can. That’s certainly evident on One Woman Band. Magnificent and timeless, this album is one hundred percent pure blues.
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Link to the PhillyCheeze
review for Ghalia and Mama’s Boys – Let the Demons Out
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/01/312-ghalia-mamas-boys-let-demons-out.html
Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.
