January 2000

Cathy Lemons Blues Band

Dark Road

With so many up-and-coming young female blues artists aspiring to the Bonnie Raitt vocal approach (and very few succeeding), it's refreshing to hear a musical yet blue vocalist give it a shot.

Cathy Lemons treads a thin line in her approach, not relying on the gospel tradition, and avoiding the Willie Mae Thornton growl. She presents an almost classical quality to her voice.A dangerous approach to the tradition? You bet! But Lemons makes it work. The more you listen to this self-produced effort, the more you realize it is a very individualistic emotional approach she presents. The effect is most assuredly strengthened by the stellar lineup of guitarists backing her on this date.

Retro stalwart Rusty Zinn and Bay Area singer Tommy Castro shine on this recording, but the guitar star of this show is bandleader Steve Freund. He is powerful but yet plays to her delicate style. His Lockwood-style finesse in tone and articulation work perfectly.

Available from Saloon Recordings, 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133.

--DH