In this recently released "Bluesiana Mama", actually recorded in 1994, Marva Wright shows why she is considered the Blues Queen of Louisiana. The 51-year-old dynamo belts out a baker's dozen of tunes which should satisfy both pop audiences and blues purists. Having just seen her in a couple performances, including a scorching set at the 1999 New Orleans Blues and Heritage Festival, I can testify this CD does a good job of capturing her live shows. She serves up heaping helpings of blues on classics like "I'd Rather Go Blind," "Little Red Rooster" and "Mojo Working" but really shows off her strong, gospel roots with her soulful "Go Tell It On The Mountain." And "Boogie" should have the dance floor bouncing. In "Let The Good Times Roll" Marva notes she's not Etta James and she's not Koko Taylor. She's Marva Wright and this disc shows that's more than all right.
This review is copyright © 1999 by Michael Martindale, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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