2025 – JayRay Records
Release Date : May
23, 2025
By Phillip
Smith; July 19,
2025
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
In 2023 two-time BMA recipient Lisa Mann and drummer Jimi Bott (The Proven Ones) were asked to form a supergroup of Pacific Northwest artists to appear at the Groove Now Concert Series in Basel, Switzerland. With Mann on vocals/bass, Bott on drums, Ben Rice (PDX Hustle) and Jason ‘JT’ Thomas (Roy Hargrove, Snarky Puppy) on guitars, and Louis “King Louie” Pain on organ, they forged Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars. The band was asked to perform a tribute to the great women of blues for the show. To fill the request, they also brought in five-time BMA nominee blues singer Terrie Odabi. This show took place June 9, 2023 at the Atlantis Club and was recorded live.
The eleven-track album opens with Odabi lending her beautiful voice to an a capella sampling of “Wade in the Water” which included a spoken-word narrative about the song’s origin. Following next is a roof-splitting cover of Etta James’ “I Sing the Blues”. It truly is magnificent. I break out an instant smile when I hear the hot guitars, swirling organ, and sultry vocals pour freely from their riveting delivery of “Let the Juke Joint Jump”. This song was originally recorded by Koko Taylor and was on her 1993 Force of Nature album. I am instantly pulled into their Big Mama Thornton song “Ball & Chain” by its elegant and toneful guitar introduction. Odabi’s voice is fabulous and captivating. The song absolutely cooks. I adore Mann’s heartfelt performance of Ella James’ ’67 blues classic “I’d Rather Go Blind”. The band plays this with perfection. Bringing the recording its end is the Willie Dixon-penned party song “Wang Dang Doodle”. Howlin’ Wolf recorded the song in 1960, and five years later it was recorded by Koko Taylor for Checker Records. It became an instant hit for her and reached number thirteen on Billboard’s R&B chart. Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All Stars embrace the song to its fullest for an eight-and-a-half-minute shindig.
Mann and Bott did a terrific job of putting together this Northwestern All-Star group featuring Odabi. Their recording genuinely honors the influential women of blues and their music. I hope the they come together for another recording. This one was exceptional.
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For more information about
Lisa Mann, visit her website : https://www.lisamannmusic.com/
For more information about
Terrie Odabi, visit her website : https://terrieodabi.com/