Cee Cee James review July 16 2012…..

CEE CEE JAMES

BLOOD RED BLUES

FUNKY WHITE GIRL MUSIC  FWG 2012

BLOOD RED BLUES–LET’S ALL GET LOOSE–FEEL MY LOVE COME DOWN–COMFORT OF A GOOD HEART–THICK LIKE BLOOD–I GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES–WORN OUT SINS–WALK ON–WOUNDS–COVER ME WITH LOVE–100 WAYS TO MAKE LOVE–I’M TAKIN’ MINE

 

 

Nicknamed “The Vocal Volcano” by the Washington Blues Society’s Robert Horn, Cee Cee James does indeed invoke the inevitable comparisons to singers such as Janis Joplin and Bonnie Bramlett.  She’s got a ton of soul in her voice, and just that right touch of gritty gruffness that gets your total attention.  She has just released “Blood Red Blues,” which features twelve originals co-written with guitarist Rob “Slideboy” Andrews.  They tackle subjects of love, life, pain, and redemption with well-crafted songs that take full advantage  of Cee Cee’s vocal talents.

 

The show starts off with the swampy, slide-heavy title cut, where “Blood Red Blues came on when my heart got broke.”  A country-blues riff over Cee Cee’s testifyin’, upper-register vocal defines “Feel My Love Come Down,” where “two rivers disappear into one, rollin’ to the open sea.”

 

Periods of painful times during her adolescence bring her to declare “I Got A Right To Sing The Blues,” ’cause “I done paid my 100 % dues!”  Learning to cope with that pain is the theme of her ballad, “Wounds,” featuring a Latin-tinged guitar break at the bridge.  The set closes with her powerful statement of redemption and victory, “I’m Takin’ Mine,” a hard-hitting slab of blues-rock where she declares “you can take my money, but you can’t take my will.”

 

We had two favorites, too.  Trying to deal with the problems in today’s society is the story of “Walk On,” ’cause “what can you do?”  And, when she starts coyly cooing about the “!00 Ways To Make Love,” it’ll make you wish she could show you every one!  This one has some cool, albeit muted, backing tremolo guitar.

 

Cee Cee James has taken her brilliant talents to the next level with the vocal performances and deep, passion-filled lyrics that are contained in “Blood Red Blues.”  Grab a copy and be prepared to be blown away!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.