JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Heavy Soul (2024) *HQ*
Chart-topping British blues rocker JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR returns with her eagerly anticipated 9th studio album, ‘‘Heavy Soul”, where Joanne again effortlessly demonstrates her blues rock wizardry as well her ever-evolving skills as a singer-songwriter.
Finely crafted by legendary experts Kevin Shirley producing, Bob Clearmountain mixing, and mastered by Bob Ludwig ”Heavy Soul” highlights Joanne’s guitar prowess and instantly recognizable, smokey-yet-sultry vocals across new original tracks and captivating covers.
This record marks an electrifying return to her rock, blues and soul roots, solidifying Joanne’s place as a dynamic force in the music world – the ‘real music’ world – with a passionate sound that brought her fame.
With a career enriched by acclaim from legends like Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox and Joe Bonamassa, Taylor’s ”Heavy Soul’ offers a fusion of contemporary soul-pop, rock n’ roll and traditional blues. The album’s latest single, “Drowning In A Sea Of Love,” is a soulful rendition inspired by Eva Cassidy’s version of soul icon Joe Simon’s 1971 R&B hit. Introduced to Taylor by producer Kevin Shirley, it perfectly captures the album’s theme of exploring emotional depths through a blend of blues and soul music.
Put simply, Joanne is skilled enough to sound however she likes. “Sweet Lil Lies” is not strictly blues, but superbly done. The piano is superb, as is JST’s playing.
It’s impressive how many chances she’s prepared to take these days. “All The Way From America” is Americana of a type she hasn’t done before, and if “Black Magic” is a bluesy shuffle, then it’s as primal as she’s ever been, and the backing vocals are as soulful as it gets.
Perhaps because it’s produced by Kevin Shirley (Bonamassa, Iron Maiden, Black Crowes, and about a million more), and there’s a raft of the finest session musicians around, it sounds like a million dollars, and as such, stuff like “Drowning In A Sea Of Love” is elevated above the norm.
It’s a hallmark of “Heavy Soul” that it doesn’t sound remotely bothered about the sounds of 2024. The strings of “Someone Like You” would have sounded like they belonged in any era, likewise the rockier sounds of “Devil In Me” are featured here, where everyone lets go and plays.
The record concludes with “Change Of Heart,” a mid-paced American-sounding track with a warm West Coast zephyr blowing through it. Just before the solo, there’s an echo of Sambora-era Bon Jovi.
And if that’s Joanne Shaw Taylor these days, then it suits her, because she continues to improve. A rich creative vein that has produced some of her finest work has yielded another high point.
Highly Recommended
01 – Sweet ‘Lil Lies
02 – All The Way From America
03 – Black Magic
04 – Drowning In A Sea Of Love
05 – A Good Goodbye
06 – Heavy Soul
07 – Wild Love
08 – Someone Like You
09 – Devil In Me
10 – Change Of Heart
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Joanne Shaw Taylor
Guitar – Rob McNelly
Keyboards – Jimmy Wallace
Rhythm Guitar – Doug Lancio
Bass – Alison Prestwood
Drums, Percussion – Anton Fig
Backing Vocals – Dannielle DeAndrea Devonne Fowlkes, Kim Fleming
Mastered by Bob Ludwig
Mixed by Bob Clearmountain & Kevin Shirley
Produced by Kevin Shirley
BUY
www.amazon.com/Heavy-Soul-Joanne-Shaw-Taylor/dp/B0CTD3887V
