ANGEL FORREST
HELL BENT WITH GRACE
MENIE THE MONSTER–GET IT ON–BEA–AIN’T NO DOUBT–GRACE–INDIAN MOON–THE BLAME GAME–LOOKING GLASS–MOTHER LOVER–MARIGOLD–BANE LORRAINE
In 1996, Canadian woman of the blues Angel Forrest began her musical career, which is still going strong. Her big. soulful voice is undeniable, and she gained a measure of public notoriety thru her tribute shows to Janis Joplin and the subsequent release of “Angel Sings Janis–Live.” Her latest album, “Hell Bent With Grace,” finds Angel taking some highly-introspective looks at her own life and those she loves.
The opener is a real tongue-in-cheek look at the onset of menopause, and is entitled “Menie The Monster,” who “takes my sexy away!” “Get It On” is a stone party anthem, while “The Blame Game” takes a hard look at mental illness and the effects it has on everyone in its path.
We had two favorites, too. First up, our heroine is involved with a man living in a “web of lies,” and is a real “Mother Lover!” The set closes on a positively psychedelic note. “Bane Lorraine” plays out as a modern-day “Jolene,” with a penchant for stealing other women’s men, “losing him to your toxic hand!” At mid-song, a psychedelic chorus of drums and guitar leads back to Angel’s pleas to “stay away from my man!”
Angel Forrest’s vocal prowess led her to a Semi-Finalist spot in the 2018 IBC’s in Memphis. “Hell Bent With Grace” solidifies her as one of the most powerful and exciting singers in all of contemporary blues! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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