RACHELLE COBA
BLINK
AMERICAN SHOWPLACE MUSIC ASM 7411
HIGH AND DRY–DANCE THESE BLUES AWAY–GOOD OLE HEARTBREAK–NO DEALS–RIVER OF BLOOD–BLINK–BAD REPUTATION–YOU STOLE MY HEART–SHUFFLE YA–MAYBE–BLAME IT ON THE BLUES
We were first introduced to the immensely-talented Rachelle Coba a few years ago thru her producer, keyboard whiz John Ginty. Her 2014 release, “Mother Blues,” established her as a force in contemporary blues, and its follow-up is here. “Blink” finds Rachelle offering up eleven originals and co-writes that covers a wide range of her musical influences, from blues to soul to funk, with even a touch of the Delta added in. In addition to Rachelle on vocals and guitar, John Ginty is co-producer, along with Ben Elliott, and John is on all things keys. Together, they make a powerful statement on this record.
That funk hits the fan on the opening cut, when a lover leaves our girl “High And Dry,” with John’s piano preachin’ fire and brimstone, and Rachelle’s guitar smokin’ the solo! That segues’ into a slowed-down look at our heroine as she’s “lookin’ to ease my mind” with a girls’ night out to “Dance These Blues Away!” She refuses to let evil get her in a bind and spits on the ground down at the Crossroads, defiantly stating “I ain’t making No Deals!”
That Crossroads theme makes a slight return of sorts, with at tune co-written by Rachelle and Liz Mandeville. It’s the story of the corruption that went along with the building of the levees along the Mississippi River, leading to memories of nothing but “greed and sin” in a “River Of Blood,” serving as one of our favorites.
Rachelle closes the set on a really soulful note. Two lovers constantly at odds, and where she always loses, has her ready to just “Blame It On The Blues.” Our other favorite showed that same soulful side on a cut that sounds as if it could have been a long-lost gem from Barbara Lewis or Dusty Springfield. It has a cool Sixties’ vibe, helped immensely by vintage piano from John, as Rachelle welcomes “Good Ole Heartbreak, here we go again!”
Rachelle Coba has a beautiful, supple voice that lends itself well to varied kinds of material. She puts it all together for everyone to enjoy with “Blink!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
donandsherylsbluesblog 