"Trouble" is E.G. Kight's third release since she switched musical genres from country to blues. Over a year in the making, it shows Kight's increasing maturity as a songwriter and a performer. Indeed, since Kight's last album ("Come Into The Blues"), one of the tunes she had a hand in writing has been recorded by Koko Taylor ("Fuel to Burn" on the "Royal Blues" album), and another couple are to be recorded by Saffire The Uppity Blues Women.
The album opens in fine style with "Trouble With A Capital 'T'," a raunchy number, which is at least partly factual according to the liner notes. There is some very nice guitar work on this one from Michael Pierce. Kight uses a backing band based around where she happens to be recording so it is all change for track two ("Let The Healing Begin") where Kight takes things down low on "Let The Healing Begin." Variety is certainly the watchword for "Trouble," which Kight describes as "... simply my music." This is exemplified by "The Queen"--a tribute to Koko Taylor--which starts out as a country tune, which seems slightly odd, even though it is where Kight's roots lie. At the point in the song where she discovers the blues, however, it all switches into 12-bar mode, and Kight really lets rip on the vocals.
The album features three guest appearances, firstly on "It Takes A Mighty Good Man" where Kim Forester shares the vocals. It sounds like a classic pre-war tune, that Bessie Smith might have sung, and it is only when you check the credits that you realize that Kight wrote it. The second is where Kight is joined by close friend Koko Taylor to belt out the excellent "A Woman Can Tell," which also features some more great guitar licks from Michael Pierce. Alongside "The Rooster Song"--a cracking, fun tune with some very neat horns--this is the pick of the tracks. The final guest appearance is Chris Hicks who plays guitar and shares the vocals on the up tempo rocker "Your Love Looks Good On Me." After a nice version of Delbert McClinton's "Better Off With The Blues," the album peters out with "When A Man Loves A Woman."
"Trouble" is a thoroughly enjoyable album which highlights E.G. Kight's prowess as a fine blues artiste. All of the original songs are very good, and Kight has a dynamic vocal range that lets her carry off the raunchy stuff as well as the more slower ballads. On this evidence Kight is definitely an act worth catching live. In the meantime, you can track down "Trouble" via her website (www.egkight.com).
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.
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