KATY GUILLEN AND THE GIRLS
HEAVY DAYS
KGG–VIZZTONE RECORDS VT-KGG-03
DRIVING TO WAKE UP–HEAVY DAYS–WAKING UP FROM YOU–DON’T NEED ANYONE–THE LOAD–HUMBUCKER–COLD WAS THE NIGHT–CAN’T LIVE HERE ANY MORE–BABY, PLEASE DON’T GO–PULLING UP FROM THE GROOVES
Katy Guillen And The Girls have become one of Kansas City’s hottest commodities following a successful run with Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea cruise, and a Finalist spot in the 2014 IBC’s down in Memphis. They play a spirited blend of blues-rock that owes as much to today’s contemporary bands as it does Jimi or Muddy. Katy is on vocals and guitar, with Claire Adams on bass and vocals, and Stephanie Williams on drums for their latest set for Vizztone, “Heavy Days.” Over these ten cuts, the young women struggle with balancing relationships with the rigors of everyday life, translating their hopes and fears into these grooves. Remember when love was new, just like a “shiny new toy?” That’s the theme of the title cut, as Katy allows herself to “fall back into the open.” Finding just the right person to “take The Load off my shoulders” comes with a perilous caveat—“the load will make you older,” as all of this is set over a driving, bass-heavy groove, fueled with the ferocity of this song’s intent.
We had two favorites. The bittersweet love story of “Waking Up From You” has overtones of classic girl-group pop from the Sixties. At the other end of this band’s versatility spectrum, Katy channels her inner Muddy and Big Joe Williams, as she begs her lover, “Baby, Please Don’t Go.” And, after hearing her pleadings, what man could leave her? This one fairly bristles with a fiery electricity that builds to a thundering finish.
The women of Katy Guillen And The Girls were born of a generation that believes they can do whatever they choose, and that credo permeates their music. No sophomore slump here—“Heavy Days” strikes a deep vein of pulsating blues-rock! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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