Search - Francine Reed :: Shades of Blue

Though she's a relative newcomer to recording (Shades of Blue is her third album), Francine Reed has the pipes of an experienced vocalist. Her voice has richness and depth, not to mention versatility; she handles everything from classic jazz ("I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues") to up-tempo blues ("Wrong Man for the Job") to sensual ballads ("A Touch of Love"). She's even got a little bit of rock & roll in "455 Rocket." But it's when she's delivering those shivery, heated love songs that Reed really shines, whether her subject is love lost in "When Love Was New" or love found in "Beyond My Wildest Dreams." There's no doubt that Reed, who toured as part of Lyle Lovett's band for a decade, can carry herself as a solo act, and we can look forward to much more from this fine vocalist. --Genevieve Williams