For years, rock and roll artists have been covering the blues. While there are always exceptions, too many times the resultant performance lacks substance. The same words are sung and the same chords are played, but something intangible reeks of soulless imitation. Normally this isn't the case when an artist whose origins are steeped in the blues decides to rock. Blues musicians, finely honed from years of plying their craft bring their inner musical artistry to the proceedings, providing that piece of soul and confidence necessary to rearrange the music to fit their particular style.

Opening "Sweet Emotions; Songs of Aerosmith" with Otis Clay's powerful R & B version of "Cryin," and following it with Gerald McClendon's phased voice and Tommy Dzallio's smoke drenched guitars for a seriously lowdown version of "Pink" gives you an idea of what this reverse musical osmosis is all about. They reinterpret the songs with their own blues personality, adding a piece of themselves and recreating the songs into a platform more conducive to their personal groove.

One thing is for certain; there is potent mojo burned into these tracks and this CD will rock you. If you are strictly a biased fan of traditional country blues, there is much to despise about this CD but if you are a blues-rock lover, there is much to relish. Cathy Richardson's cover of "Last Child" is a prime example. Following "fairly" close to the original (in comparison to many of the other songs on the CD) Cathy's band delivers the deep nasty funk while she dazzles the listener with a strong vocal exhibition. Lou Ann Barton delivers another standout vocal performance on "One Way Street" while John Spiegel lays down the gritty slide guitar, raw and heavy laden with roadhouse dirt.

There is a slew of highlights on this CD for the avid blues-rocker. The harmonica virtuosity of Sugar Blue's performances on "Back in the Saddle" and "Big Ten Inch Record" are particularly impressive. The gospel dynamics of Kim McFarland's "Dream On" build the song to a definitive crescendo. The New Orleans rhythm of Tad Robinson's "Draw the Line" and the piano and steel guitar break in Donald Kinsey's "Sweet Emotion" add new dimension to the songs. The powerful duet of Crystal Taliefero's voice interweaving with Joanna Connor's commanding slide guitar on "Dude Looks Like a Lady" induces yet another stand-out moment.

Leaning more towards the blues vein, the legendary Pinetop Perkins with Rusty Zinn and Ronnie Baker Brooks take a steady easygoing stroll through "Walk This Way," giving the anthem a complete overhaul. The venerated bluesman, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, finishes the CD by performing a casual, boogie-woogie acoustic take of "Train Kept a Rollin." While probably not landing on any "Best Of Honeyboy" CD's, it's great to hear him really get going in the song and the little trailer of him performing on a different take at the very end is a perfect way to close the CD.

Made for blues-rock lovers looking for rock with a blues soul, "Sweet Emotion; Songs of Aerosmith" will satisfy your earnest craving for blistering sass. Rejuvenating oft-played anthems into a personal statement can be a difficult task but the blues veterans gathered together for this, the first in the "Blues On Fire" series are quite capable of doing justice to both themselves AND Aerosmith. They maintain their individuality, create new arrangements, and successfully refrain from butchering any of the songs. Paying homage to a great straight up rock and roll band allows them the opportunity to really crank it up and burn in a different light. Filled with scorching slide guitar throughout, anyone interested in rock-blues and the slide guitar could spend a long time with this CD. The vocalists are superb and wisely chose not to try and mimic Tyler. They sing the songs their own way, with their own timing, many of them slowing the songs down to create more of a blues-drag which provides additional room to infuse a piece of their soul into the music. Recommended listening for both fans of Aerosmith and blues-rock.

"Sweet Emotion: Songs of Aerosmith," was produced by Ira Antelis and Jeff Jacobs. Executive producers: Devon Devick and Kevin Devick.

Heavy Hip Mama Music Company, 673 Robinwood, CT Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.933.9126, Fax: 630.933.9128
E-mail: info@heavyhipmama.com
Website: www.heavyhipmama.com

This review is copyright © 2001 by Stephen T Davidson, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.