Sue
Foley
PInky's Blues
Stony Plain Records
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It's been quite a few years
(more than 30) since guitarist Sue Foley
left her home in Canada to head to Austin, Texas
to further her blues career. She's recorded
prolifically during that time, with the
outstanding Pinky's Blues being her 16th
release and her first on Canadian label Stony
Plain Records. I can't say that I've listened to
every single item in her discography, but I
truly believe that Pinky's Blues deserves
a gold star as one of the best. Backed by a
strong trio of Jon Penner (bass), Chris Layton
(drums) and Mike Flanigin (Hammond B3 /
producer), this album smokes throughout its
dozen songs.
The title cut opens the album, setting the stage for
what we're going to hear the rest of the way. It's a slow blues
instrumental with Foley showing off her talent on guitar. That leads
into a mid-tempo shuffle composed by Angela Strehli, "Two Bit Texas
Town," on which Foley sings about past blues artists. Increasing the
tempo is the rockin' "Dallas Man."
"Southern Men" is a vehicle for Foley to sing about how
she feels about men from the south and her hopes that they will desire
her as much, with Layton's rhythmic drumming laying down the foundation
behind our star's snaky guitar licks. Up next is one of the best cuts
when Foley shows off the Magic Sam influence in her playing on another
Strehli composition, the slow blues "Say It's Not So." (Ms. Strehli did
this one on her Blonde and Blue album, which is immediately being
added to my playlist). Foley switches guitar heroes to sound like Elmore
James on her own composition, "Hurricane Girl," a blues shuffle with
plenty of sass on her strong vocals, singing, "....I'm a force of
nature, I'm a hurricane girl ..." Jimmie Vaughan shows up in the studio
to add rhythm guitar here.
The up-tempo Lavelle White original, "Stop These
Teardrops," gives Foley a chance to pay tribute to Ms. White, a great
Austin singer from a couple of decades ago. This one's got a funky beat
with, inviting the listener to hit repeat several times while going
through the album. That leads into another of the album's best songs,
with an up-tempo cover of Frankie Lee Sims' "Boogie Real Low" that just
plain cooks. Foley shows here that her voice has matured nicely over the
years, and shows the versatility in both her song selection and vocal
work on the Lillie Mae Donley slow ballad, "Think It Over."
I can never get enough versions of Gatemouth Brown's
classic Texas blues guitar instrumental "Okie Dokie Stomp," with Foley's
intricate guitar picking giving her rendition even more smoke and fire.
"Someday" is a mid-tempo blues shuffle done originally by Robert
Nighthawk, and Foley proves she's got the guitar credentials to do a
great version.
Closing out Pinky's Blues is Willie Dixon's
up-tempo stomper "When The Cat's Gone The Mice Will Play," which is
basically the same tune as Junior Wells' "Messin' With The Kid." It's a
fun romp that allows the album to end on a very strong note.
The release of Pinky's Blues is timed to coincide
with a fall tour by Foley and band, so go out to see her if she comes
anywhere near your town. Regardless, this album will provide plenty of
good listening to warm your soul.