ALLY VENABLE BAND
NO GLASS SHOES
CONNOR RAY MUSIC CRM 1603
TRAINWRECK–NO GLASS SHOES–WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’–WISE MAN–MESSIN’ WITH THE KID–TOO MUCH TOO SOON–DOWNHEARTED BLUES–LOVE ME LIKE A MAN
The talent of many of today’s young folks is truly amazing. A case in point is Ally Venable, all of seventeen years old, but with the heart and soul of a blues veteran. She has just signed with Connor Ray Music, and is set to release the debut from the Houston-based Ally Venable Band, “No Glass Shoes,” on July 22, 2016.
She’s been named East Texas Female Guitarist Of The Year twice now, and is only gettin’ better. Of the eight cuts herein, she wrote five outright, plus some new music to accompany the lyrics of the Alberta Hunter chestnut, “Downhearted Blues.” Joining Ally on this ride is Bobby Wallace on guitar, Zach Terry on bass, Elijah Owings on drums, and special guests Steve Krase (the set’s producer) on the harp, and Randy Wall on keys.
She leads off with a fine original shot of blues-rock, the tale of unrequited love where “that train never comes,” aptly-titled “Trainwreck.” “Woke Up This Mornin’ and realized I was through with you” is a “leavin’ song” at its best, riding that “endless boogie” groove of John Lee Hooker-by-way-of-ZZ Top, while forcing oneself to press on no matter what the obstacles is outlined in “Too Much Too Soon,” embellished by Steve’s harp.
We had two favorites, too. Ally’s spunky read of ol’ Amos Blakemore’s “Messin’ With The Kid” is the album’s “tour-de-funk,” if you will. (Go check out the YouTube clip of this one!) And, she certainly doesn’t sound like your typical seventeen-year-old as she gets downright down’n’dirty on a sultry read of Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like A Man,” with Steve’s harp and Randy’s keyboard work rounding things out nicely.
Ally Venable is another of those Millenials who are now coming-of-age and who believe that they can succeed at anything. With a debut as strong as “No Glass Shoes,” her potential is limitless! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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