Otilia Donaire
Bluesin’ It Up
Self Released
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © Aug 2024
At the band’s website it states that “The Otilia Donaire Band features Otilia combining her singing talents with some of the Bay Area’s finest blues and rock musicians that consistently deliver a fun and interactive show filled with a huge repertoire of upbeat/danceable classic blues, rock, R&B and soul/funk tunes that’ll keep you on the dance floor”. That said, although I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing their live show, I will tell you that after listening to Bluesin’ It Up, I can attest to having just heard some quite masterful musicians providing the perfect platform for Otilia to showcase her spectacular vocal skills.
Those maestros backing up vocalist Otilia Donaire are: Joe Lococo on guitar and vocals; Dave Shul on guitar; Armando Rosales on rhythm guitar and piano; Musical Director Chris Matheos on bass; Robi Bean on drums; Greg Rahn and Pamela Charles Arthur on keys; Edgar San Gabriel on bass; Daniel Casares on sax and horn arrangements; John Halblieb on trumpet and horn arrangements; and Rich Armstrong also on horn arrangements.
Bluesin’ It Up contains twelve tracks that feature nine originals and three covers, with several of the originals being reworked songs that had appeared on her “Queen Bee” EP. Now, let’s go listen to some…
The opening track is a very cleverly written original song titled “Wrong Side Of 45” and I gotta tell ya, in my comments about the song there will not be any sympathy offered from a guy who’s on the wrong side of seventy-five. It seems that waking up one morning and realizing that’s age forty-five she’s seeing behind her in the mirror, causes Otilia to have bit of a mid-life crisis. On the other hand, once she accepts that being on the right side of the ground trumps being on the wrong side of 45, the panic becomes manageable. Musically, it’s a barnburner with just about everyone in the credits laying it out like they aren’t on the wrong side of anything.
Another original, “Without You”, has a bit of an old school R&B feel that features Otilia using impressive range as she soulfully belts the hell out of some blues. With Chris (bass) and Robi (drums) laying down a most powerful rhythm behind them, Greg and Joe are literally in a free for all on the organ and guitar, respectively. If I’m ever at an Otilia Donaire band live show, I’m requesting this one.
“Queen Bee” is another similar smoker with pretty much the same things going on. That said, as far as Greg is concerned, he could very well be at disc’s best on what I believe is a Hammond B3 organ. Lyrically, Otilia is on the prowl and about to pounce – and I do mean pounce – on her prey. Being sultrily told “Hey there handsome, you’ll do tonight. Get over here handsome, you’re gonna be my man. You’re gonna take me outta this place and deliver me to the promised land”, by this gorgeous lady, this guy either has the biggest… err… smile he ever had on his face, or his knees are knocking so bad he won’t be able to walk.
On another of her originals, you don’t need to hear Otilia say “Meet Me In My Dreams” more than once before you say “Okay”. You also don’t need to hear her say much more than that for you to think “Damn, this gal can sing”. This is the kind of stuff I can listen to all day long.
On this Koko Taylor song, as Otilia sings the opening line of ‘They call me the “Voodoo Woman”, cause you know the reason why…’ all I can say is “oh yes I do”! Simply said, as soon as you start singing, a spell is cast on every man within listening range. Throughout this disc, the many rhythm musicians and their various instruments have pretty much been a standing highlight and once again, – with Robi beating up the skins and, this time, Edgar laying down the smokin’ bass lines – this is true. Of course, it’s always a pleasure hearing Joe Lococo going absolutely loco on lead guitar as well. Very well-done cover.
Yes, I know I’ve said this many times and I hope to say it many more – when it comes to hearing a female singer nailing a bluesy ballad I just melt. That said after hearing Otilia’s intoxicating presentation of an original song titled “Over You”, I’m close to being a hot mess. Wow! Wow! Wow! Even the music – highlighted by the sensuality exuding from the horns of Daniel and John and the B3 and piano work coming from the hands of Greg and Armando – is sexy as all hell. This could be one of the better slow dance songs ever.
The disc closes with a Willie Dixon song and if that has you thinking it’s probably the disc’s most traditional blues track, you’d be quite right. Just like Muddy made you believe he was every bit of the Hoochie Coochie Man when he sang it, Otilia is as serious as a heart attack about being the “Hoochie Coochie Woman”. While Chris and Robi are nailing the slow blues rhythm groove – this time with help from Pamela on the B3 – Joe is smokin’ it on the lead and slide guitar licks. The band certainly did a well-done rendition of this blues classic.
Other tracks on this outstanding album include: “Love Sick Blues”; “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fools”; “On My Way To San Francisco”; “Sugar Coated Love” (JD Miller); and “Tired Of Loving You”.
With them in Northern California and me in Southern Florida, seeing the band live is quite the long shot. That said, the Blewzzman has his fingers crossed.
On another note, I don’t know if the band intends on participating in the now open Blues Music Awards submission process but should they, I like them for a nod in one of those “new or emerging artists” categories.
Should you like to find out more about this fabulous artist and band, just go to her website – www.OtiliaDonaire.com. Remember, when you do contact her, please let her know that her new fan and friend, the Blewzzman, sent you.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
