Live Review
E.C. Scott
Famous Dave’s
October 10, 2003
by Rich Benson
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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EC Scott is a big woman with a big, powerful expressive voice and quite possibly the top touring female blues vocalist in the country today. After her band Smoke warmed up the crowd, she started singing on her cordless mike from outside Famous Dave’s, the crowd looking around to see where she was. Soon she came slowly walking in the front door, her low, husky, soulfully expressive voice ringing throughout the room on “Credit, Where Credit Is Due.” This solid, pleasing original song, as with most of hers, contains a strong, positive message within the well-written music and lyrics. She came right back with the funky, cheeky “I’m Gonna Make a Man Out of You.” EC combines just the right mixture of naughtiness, playfulness, humor, and pride in being a big woman who can “do what no skinny woman can do.” She got the crowd into it on “Feel Like Singing the Blues” by having them sing along on the refrain. As EC says, when EC is in town it’s time to party!
EC shows great control of her strong voice. On “Doing My Own Thing” she held some long, soulful notes on this great blues grinder. Flashing her bright, big, vivacious smile, she is the picture of a strong, independent woman who indeed likes to be in control and do her own thing, as the song says. She made her voice rasp deep with emotion, on the slow, soulful blues “One Night with You.” Her tight three-piece backing band provided a big, strong, often funky blues sound behind her. Lead guitarist Shane Johnson’s searing licks added to the impact of the song, as EC got a little raunchy talking about making love and her “flexibility.” She gave the crowd great, hard-charging blues on “This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Kind of Blues.” Starting out singing strong and loud, EC brought her voice down and let it tail off with sweet, expressive held notes. EC closed out her first set with slow, soulful, melancholy blues with “What Do We Do.” This powerful original about love ending is a beautiful, blues ballad that lets her showcase her powerful, emotional vocal talents.
EC’s second set was highlighted by two great originals. “The Other Side of Me” is funky, mid-tempo blues and the title cut for her last CD. It featured a nice, catchy hooking beat, powerful, passionate singing by EC, and a message about deeper love. “Did I Forget to Say (I love you)” is a tasteful blues grinder, with some great, shouting vocals by EC, delivering her message with power and emotion. EC switched gears with a solid cover of “Stand by Me.” This long, moving, rousing version by EC had the crowd joining in on the refrain and standing to cheer EC at the end. EC closed things out with her playful, infectious style with a medley of party songs. She pulled people up on the stage to dance behind her, shook her booty, and sent out the message that you need to party and have a good time sometimes to truly enjoy life and feel alive. Definitely when EC comes to town, it’s party time. Be sure to catch her the next time she brings her unique blues and party sound to town.
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