Deb Ryder review…November 11, 2013…

DEB RYDER

MIGHT JUST GET LUCKY

BEJEB MUSIC

GET A GRIP–BLUE COLLAR BLUES–REALLY GONE–MIGHT JUST GET LUCKY–COME ON HOME TO ME–CE SOIR CE SOIR–BAD BAD DREAM–THE ANGELS CRIED–LOVE STEALIN LIAR–THESE HANDS

Deb Ryder was born in Peoria, IL, and was immersed in the sounds of the Chicago blues scene thru her father, a renowned local Windy City vocalist.  The family soon moved westward to Los Angeles, and that’s where Deb’s love for the blues began to flourish.  Her neighbor was Bob Hite of Canned Heat, and her dad’s Topanga Corral club offered her the chance to mentor under the likes of Etta James and Big Joe Turner, whose jazz and jump blues styles can be heard in Deb’s delivery and her writing.

Such is the case with “Might Just Get Lucky,” ten originals that tackle not only straight blues, but jazz, gospel, and a bit of N’ Awlins, too.  Deb’s bold, brassy vocals can easily win over even the most jaded fans, and her let-it-all-hang-out approach is one of the main things we enjoyed about this set.

The good times get to rollin’ with Deb calling out a lazy, no-good lover, telling him “I’m better off alone, so Get A Grip, get real, or get gone!”  This one has great guitar work from Eli Fletcher and harp from Larry David.  Old-school jump blues in the vein of Wynonie Harris epitomizes “Blue Collar Blues,” as everybody’s ready for Friday nite, this one with guitar from the legendary Albert Lee.

Albert again adds guitar on the zydeco flavors of “Ce Soir Ce Soir,” finding Deb in the mood for a little release after a long day’s work.  Another shot of New Orleans, albeit in a more somber setting, is the minor-key “The Angels Cried,” the sad story of a man who passed much too soon from an alcohol overdose, and the effect his passing had on others.  The set closes powerfully, with the gospel fervor of “These Hands,” as Deb’s vocal rides over James McVay’s dobro and Brad Swanson’s drums.

We had two favorites, too, both in the classic blues vein.  Dave Dills on guitar and Greg Hilfman on organ keep the pot cookin’ over Deb’s vocal as she catches another low-down dog in the act, a true “two-timin’, double-dealin’ Love Stealin Liar!”  And, when she can’t find her lover and realizes he’s paid off his grocery bill AND his bar tab, this time he’s “Really Gone.”   This one is classic Chicago blues, with Eli again on guitar and Stan Behrens on harp.

This CD is the SoCal Blues Society entry in the IBC’s for 2014 Best Self-Produced CD, and with Deb’s immense talents, it won’t be a matter of luck were she to win!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.