2016 –M.C. Records
By Phillip Smith;
Aug 4, 2017
Six
String Stories, the eleventh release from Chicago guitar-slinger Joanna
Conner is an amazing listen to say the least. She continues to throw her whole being into
each performance, with both her axe and voice. Joining Conner on the
album, is Marion Lance Lewis (drums, bass, percussion, synth, vocals) , Jeff
Lewis (keyboards), Omar “Harp” Coleman (harmonica), Charlie Kimble
(tenor sax), Gary Solomon (alto/soprano sax), and Charles Pryor
(trumpet, flugelhorn).
There is no denying this lady has been baptized in
the blues, once one hears the captivating first licks of “It’s a Woman’s Way”
bursting through the stereo speakers. The
song, oozing with flair and attitude hooks me like an unsuspecting catfish. Conner dishes out a big saucy helping
of slide guitar on “By Your Side”. It
sounds so sweet. The cover of Jill
Scott’s “Golden” is absolutely lovely, and reminiscent of one my early musical
favorites, George Benson.
Of the ten spectacular tracks on Six String Stories, there’s one which
stands out above and beyond. That song
is “Halsted Street”. Complex and searing,
Conner attacks this progressive-blues-rock instrumental with an
intense ferocity. I am gobsmacked with
each and every listen. The album comes
highly recommended.
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