Search - Liz Mandville Greeson :: Ready to Cheat

Blues Perfection

Vascilli | Oak Park, IL United States | 11/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had the pleasure of listening to Liz in concert regularly for the last five years. And though no recording can compete with the "live Liz" experience, this CD comes about as close as you can get. Though afraid at first that her second album wouldn't meet the high musical standard she set for herself with her debut, I had no need to be--this is even more polished, more versatile, more musically accomplished and lyrically rich. Though she's been compared to Bonnie Rait, Janis Joplin, and Etta James, Liz actually embodies the breadth of the best of the blues. A little Howlin' Wolf asserts itself in the gritty "Quit Doggin," and a little John Lee Hooker haunts "Goin Home." And yet, all in all, it's all Liz, especially on numbers like "Other Pants" and "Great Big Man," which are her prototypical, inimitable mix of humor and raunch just set to great music.All the songs on this CD are original and there really isn't any better blues music being made today. Nor is there better blues music being performed or produced. Liz has the most accomplished blues musicians around bolstering her voice, which is not just powerful, but dynamic and beautiful to boot.I myself still can't pick a best between "Look at Me" and "Ready to Cheat." My advice: be nice to yourself and get 'em both"

Nice Debut!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 11/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Earwig records is a small label that has signed some pretty decent talent over the last several years including Big Jack Johnson "The Oil Man", Homesick James "Goin' Back In The Times", Pinetop Perkins "With the Blue Ice Band" and the lesser known Jimmy Dawkins "Kant Sheck These Bluze", Lovie Lee "Good Candy" Louisianna Red "Driftin' and H-Bomb Ferguson "Wiggin Out". Despite the lack of a handle, Liz fits well with this group offering a traditional, gospel-tinged, approach to the blues. Like her colleagues, Liz does more than belt out a few tunes. On this CD, she also proves to be a capable composer, guitarist and vocalist. Her low down and somewhat gruff voice sets the table for some rather tasty numbers and her guitar work is pretty darn good. Best tunes on the disc are the title track "Ready To Cheat" and the slow-blues slide guitar number "Reefer Woman". With this release, Liz appears on the verge of a breakout."