Label: Ruf Records GmbH
Catalog: RUF 1141
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 25.07.2008
Notes:
Since the release of her Ruf Records solo debut Dreamland Blues ("Best Album of 2006," YLE Radio Suomi 'Bluesministeri'), Erja Lyytinen has been busy honing her sound with well over 150 concert appearances throughout Europe. With each performance, she's reached new fans and made believers out of even the most skeptical of observers. ("Can a young gal from Finland sing the blues?") She's also been collecting stories - new tales of love, heartbreak and passion she is now ready to reveal on her new album, Grip of the Blues. Erja will officially release the CD at this summer's Puistoblues 2008, arguably the most popular blues festival in Finland.
As one of Finland's brightest musical talents, the singer, songwriter and guitarist could have been content to rest on her laurels. Instead, Grip of the Blues is her boldest, freshest and most varied effort yet. She features a wider range of song styles than ever before. To do this, she enlisted the help of the musicians who know her best. "I wanted to make an album that is as close as possible to what I do live," says Lyytinen, who is "reunited" with her own road band on Grip of the Blues following a pair of CDs she recorded with session players. The new album was produced by her long-time rhythm guitarist Davide Floreno and recorded by Kimmo Antikainen, who engineers her live shows. "We tried to capture that same kind of live atmosphere. Most of the tracks were recorded live and I added vocals afterwards."
Lyytinen wrote eight of the album's even dozen tracks and co-wrote another two with Floreno. She mixes hard-edged blues with modern R&B and showcases her knack for delicate, poppy melodies on songs like "Wish I Had You" and "Unreachable." She proves she's not afraid to explore some darker terrain, while also offering songs of hope and recovery. "I put a lot of gospel feeling into 'Let it Shine'," she says. "I saw Robert Randolph doing a show and really dug his style. So we put some crazy fast slide on that track!"
Two carefully-chosen cover selections blend nicely with the original material. Erja puts a fresh face on Tony Joe White's "Steamy Windows," making you forget the song was ever recorded by Tina Turner. And with "Rollin' and Tumbin'," she tackles an all-time blues classic. "I have been playing this song for years, so I would say this is a Finnish approach to the song," she grins. One listen, though, will tell you that Erja's trips to the Mississippi Delta have rubbed off on her.
Grip of the Blues is an impressive step forward for an artist who's not afraid to take risks. Erja can slide with the best blues players, but is also comfortable singing love songs - both happy and sad. At the end of the day, she's about more than just the chops. She's here to tell stories.
Barcode - 7 1034 7114 2 3
LC - 01956
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