Rev. Rabia's follow up to 2000's fine "Never Too Late" is a live recording
made in October, 2002. Once again she teamed up with harpman Virgil
Thrasher for the BAJABA Showcase to deliver another accomplished
performance encompassing old and new songs.
As with the studio set ("Never Too Late"), the album opens with Memphis
Minnie's "Black Cat." It shows that Rev. Rabia can cut it live, and
Thrasher provides some nicely sympathetic amplified harp. For the first few
tracks, the guitar does sound a little quiet, although Rev. Rabia has such
a big warm voice that she carries the show anyway. The style is maintained
for the first of the originals, "Be Careful What You Wish For," which
should help convince first time listeners that Rev. Rabia writes some good
songs too.
For "Never Too Late," Thrasher takes a breather. Although the guitar
picking in this one is relatively simple, it is also highly effective. The
song is delivered almost as a field holler, where Rev. Rabia's terrific
vocals are punctuated by guitar fills at the end of each of the verses.
This is the third of four tracks that were also on the "Never Too Late"
album, the only other one being the cover of "Rock Me Baby."
In amongst the other six tunes are a couple more originals. "Holyblues,"
which is also the name of Rev. Rabia's web site, features some more great
muddy harp from Thrasher, and has some driving guitar. The guitar becomes
much more audible on this one. It is followed by some gentle downhome slide
on "Baby Get Lost," where Rev. Rabia shows that she can howl like the Wolf too.
The album rounds out with a trio of covers. After Blind Willie Johnson's
"Soul Of A Man," the duo deliver a driving version of Willie Brown's
"Future Blues." The final song is a version of "Love In Vain" which
features some more neat slide guitar, and Rev. Rabia adds some new lyrics.
"Live Concert" is another fine CD from Rev. Rabia and Virgil Thrasher. It
shows that the duo are worth checking out if they are playing in your town.
Rev. Rabia is a great singer, and a more than capable guitar player, whilst
Virgil Thrasher provides the perfect foil on harp. "Live Concert" should
help to boost the reputation that the duo established on "Never Too Late."
www.holyblues.com
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