The album opens with "Caroline's Boogie" which leaves you with no doubt about her credentials. It is the first of a number of boogie woogie pieces, and has an annoyingly familiar refrain. Rather than simply peddle out a CD full of boogie woogie instrumentals, however, Dahl is tackles a range of styles. She starts by switching to New Orleans for the second tune, "Tico Tico Medley," which is the only non-original here, and owes much to a medley that used to form part of the late great James Booker's repertoire.

"No Hats" is an album that constantly keeps you on your toes with its frequent changes of style and tempo. So, by the time you reach track three ("Sharp Swinger") you are already into the third different style as Dahl adopts a more jazzy feel. It takes until track five "Sugarplum's Blues" before you get a chance for a breather with a slower tempo, straighter blues number. This is the first of three tracks where Dahl plays solo, the other two being the closers ("Rhumba Apocalypso" and "Young Mother of Old"). Dahl also plays accordion (overdubbed!) on part of "Kentucky Blues Sampler"--Dahl is originally from Kentucky--which comprises several tunes segued together, and contains some of the albums fines moments.

"No Hats" is proof positive that Caroline Dahl knows her way around the 88s. Although there is a lot of changes of blues piano styles on show, Dahl somehow manages to maintain an overall coherence to the album. Anyone who likes blues piano should get along to their local store to pick up a copy of "No Hats," or failing that, check out availability from the good people at Globe Records (www.globerecords.com). "No Hats" is definitely one for the blues piano connoisseurs.

This review is copyright © 2001 by Gordon Baxter, 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.