Karen's Got The Blues!!!!
Dennis W. Maloney | St. Augustine FL | 06/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Oregon's Karen Lovely certainly established herself as a blueswoman of note with her rousing Pretty Pear CD Lucky Girl while coming within a hare's breath of winning the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Now she broadens her credentials with a masterful follow up, Still The Rain, that should appeal not only to her legion of fans who listen to her on SiriusXM satellite radio and many alternative FM and Internet outlets throughout the country, but to a whole new audience with some different material.
Oh sure, Still The Rain has some snappy uptempo tunes like Blues Ain't Far Behind, Cold Man Cold, and Ask Your Heart that feature Lovely's big, lusty voice, plus a vampy jump blues number Older Fool with some muscular tenor sax by Michael Vannice of the Dawwg House Rhythm section.
But it's the ballad cuts that really make this CD so appealing, where Karen Lovely throws the glove down and shows us her tender and emotional side. The title tune, Still The Rain, is a dark and foreboding tale of spousal abuse, while Karen will make you shiver as her voice drips with sadness on Other Plans accompanied by Vannice's haunting tenor.
An added plus is guitarist Alan Mirikitani who spices up many of the songs with some gritty solos.
Producer Dennis Walker has definitely brought out the best in Karen Lovely on Still The Rain.
Sunshine Dennis
Entertainment Editor Emeritus, Key West Morning Star"
The Blues Are Belted
Lane | 05/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A powerful voice and cutting edge voice in the new generation of blues singers. One of the few female singers of her generation to deliver both concept and execution. If you want a little Janis, if you want a little Etta, if you just want to listen to a FINE blues singer, buy this musical gem."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1