2024 – Black Hen Music
By Phillip Smith; May 4, 2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I absolutely love the new album from Canadian musician Ndidi O. Simple Songs for Complicated Times, her sixth solo release swept me off my feet upon my first listen. It’s rootsy melancholy blues and bluesy melancholy roots are brought to life with Ndidi’s angelic vocals. Recorded at Steve Dawson’s Henhouse Studios in Nashville, the album features Ndidi on vocals, Dawson on guitar and pedal steel, Sam Howard on bass, Chris Gestrin on keys, and Gary Craig on drums. Backup singers include Khari McClelland, Dawn Pemberton, and Keri Latamir.
She leads the record off with “Get Gone” a blues-soaked anthem with a rocking rhythm, a taste of slide, and spirited backing vocals. It’s a great song to start with and sinks its hooks in me immediately. “Ode to Death” is absolutely unescapable. It’s not only a song, it’s an experience. Two of my favorite singers quickly come to mind when I hear this: Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey. There’s a little delta influence in “Light On”. I love the twangy goodness that coats the funky essence of this track. Country blues takes a spiritual path on “Change This Life” as it simply sinks right into the soul. I adore the Bonnie Raitt approach to “Too Late” and its spiritual, delta blues sound. I have to mention “Grief”. Ndidi’s talent of a writer shines excessively on this track. It’s quite an impactful song.
Songs for Complicated Times is certainly landing among my favorite albums of the year so far. I highly recommend giving it a listen
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Available on Bandcamp
