Shirley Johnson - Blues Attack - Delmark Records 2009

Shirley Johnson, who celebrated her 60th birthday June 7th, may not be as well known as most of the female Blues singers you may have in your collection, but that's what makes this disc such a treat. If you aren't hip to Johnson and her sound, it takes you by surprise. I know that's certainly the case for me, personally.

The album starts strong with "You're Reckless" and never looks back. The title track is a treat, with great playing and a strong guitar solo, a rich horn section, and fantastic, straight ahead lyrics. It's the same basic group of lines repeated throughout the song, but that's OK, because the tune doesn't require three or four different verses to get you grooving. - "I got the Blues Fever, ain't nothing wrong with that; Feeling kind of weak now, this is a Blues Attack." It's not a story song. It's a great piece of Blues music.

Johnson doesn't stray too far from the original sound on covers, such as "634-5789" and "Unchain My Heart," but she does a great job on the songs. It's not like she doesn't do the songs justice, and that's a good thing. She just doesn't venture too far off the original path.

Songs like "My Baby Played Me For A Fool," "You Shouldn't Have Been There," and "Let It Rain" are Stone Cold Blues tunes, and that's where this disc really excells. I would go so far as to say it's worth purchasing this disc just for those songs alone. However, the great thing about Blue Attack is that the album is awesome from start to finish, and it's one that you really shouldn't put in and jump around, skipping tracks. Turn it on, turn it up, and leave it alone!

Blues Attack is only Johnson's second CD on Delmark Records, the first being Killer Diller in 2002, and listening to the album makes this reviewer wonder why they haven't put out more. Of course, when you go seven years between albums, I guess they've gotta be strong.

Standout Tracks: All of them.

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