KATHRYN GRIMM
BLUES TOOLS
BLUES TOOLS–TALKING TO THE WIND–TROUBLE OF THIS WORLD–YOU MAKE ME SO HAPPY I CAN’T SING THE BLUES–BEST OF ME–C’MON HOME–MISS CELIE’S BLUES–EMPTY SPACE–GOD IS TESTING ME–GONE–HOT DATE WITH BUZZ–LOVEGUN
Portland, Oregon-based woman of the blues Kathryn Grimm’s latest offering, “Blues Tools,” could literally be divided into two parts. Several of the songs are autobiographical in nature, with an underlying pattern of spirituality, while the remainder are more of a secular nature. A good example of the former is the title cut. It offers up a positive message to lift each other up, “cause, really, it’s all about the love, “Blues Tools,” featuring a cool, Fifties-inspired backing sax. “Trouble Of This World” finds our heroine knowing that she will one day be “going home to live with God,” while “God Is Testing Me” was written right after her van and all her gear was stolen. but she still found the resolve to forget herself and help others who might be less fortunate than her. She addresses domestic violence with “Best Of Me,” and tackles the same situation in reverse with a plea to a lover whom she had mistreated to “C’mon Home,” “I’m so wrong without you.”
Our favorite was easy. “Hot Date With Buzz” chronicles our heroine after a particularly tough day and how she, er, copes with stress! It’s a hilarious stop-time blueser with slide guitar courtesy of the late master, Jeff Buckley.
It takes a unique talent to so deftly connect both the secular and the sacred. With “Blues Tools,” Kathryn Grimm has crafted a set that is at onCe powerful, enlightening, and uplifting! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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