Zakiya Hooker - Keeping It Real - Boogie With the Hook Records 2009

Now, when you take that impressive qualifier out of the equation and simply listen to Keeping It Real objectively, you find that it stands on it's own merits as a very good Blues record. Simply put, Zakiya Hooker doesn't have to rely on her father's name to get over with this CD. She does, however, bear that name proudly, and do it quite a bit of justice with the release.

Zakiya Hooker has a beautiful voice. The kind of voice that grabs your attention if her music was on "in the background." A conversation starter, if you will.

Keeping It Real was recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Hooker enlisted the help of local musicians, as well as American players. She also received an assist from her famous father, the afore mentioned Blues legend, John Lee Hooker, who provides the spoken introduction on "End of the World Blues" (written by Grateful Dead writers Robert Hunter and Greg Anton). He also duets with daughter Zakiya on "Rock These Blues Away," and provides his daughter with the legendary tune "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," which Zakiya Hooker and her production team make sound like it was recorded at the bar.

Like I mentioned earlier, Hooker takes her own approach to the Blues on Keeping It Real, whether it's the timely lyrics of "Love Foreclosure," or the Spanish language vocals on "Desconfio," a track made famous by Argentina's own Blues giant, Pappo. Hooker also covers arguably the greatest Blues song of all time (Crossroads).

However, it's the original material, like "Love Hotel," "Love Foreclosure," and the title track, where Zakiya really shines on the disc.

Standout Tracks: "Love Hotel," "Rock These Blues Away" with John Lee Hooker, and "Love Foreclosure"

Preview and purchase songs from the album Keeping It Real by Zakiya Hooker.