“The Trio Sessions”
Blue South Records
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © April 2021
Prelude
It’s pretty hard to forget the first time I met EG Kight because it was the night of my first time going to the W.C. Handy Awards – May 25, 2000. Yep, it was way back before the event ever became known as the Blues Music Awards. On that night a great friendship blossomed into twenty-one years of fond memories – just a few of which include: booking her and her band at many events; cooking for her and her band on a few occasions; and this very special night, which is worthy of sharing – EG Kight Blue Bayou Club – Blues Show Review. So now that I’ve told you about how crazy I am over this lady and her band, let me now tell you about how crazy I am over this new album.
Review
Since 1997, when EG came to us from country music with a blues debut that was appropriately titled “Come Into The Blues”, “The Trio Sessions” is her ninth release in the genre. For the project – guitarist, singer, songwriter and Blues Music Award nominee – EG Kight is joined by two of her long time band mates: Ken Wynn on lead guitar, dobro and background vocals; and Gary Porter on drums, percussion, harmonica and background vocals. Additionally, special guest Sean Williams plays bass on several tracks.
“The Trio Sessions” contains ten tracks and of the seven originals: three are penned by EG; one is a collaboration with Johnny Neel; and three are collaborations with her long time friend and writing partner, Blues Music Award nominee, Tom Horner.
The disc opens with a thunderous drum solo by one of the most underrated drummers in the genre – the great, Gary Porter. Along with the use of some percussive devices, and some excellent help from Sean on bass, Gary keeps the rhythm on “You Just Don’t Get It” (Kight/Neel) at a powerful level throughout the track. Vocally, with a perfect combination of that country sound she never lost, mixed in with some of that growl she was introduced to by her friend and inspiration the late Koko Taylor, EG makes the reasons for her longevity in the genre and her several BMA nominations for the “Koko Taylor Award” (a.k.a Traditional Female Artist Award) quite clear.
As she generally does on most of her releases, EG likes to cover a traditional blues song by one of the genre’s legends. This one features EG showcasing her fabulous range and note holding skills on an absolutely gut wrenching rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Evil”. Musical highlights include EG and Ken pickin’ and strummin’ some awesome notes and chords on acoustic guitars, and Gary – who I don’t remember being such a killer harp player – killing on the blues harp. Great track.
Along with hearing her belt out the blues as she just did on the above track, my other favorite type of song to hear EG sing is a ballad. This one is titled “Burned” (Kight/Horner) and with a heartfelt and emotional presentation EG tells the melancholic tale of a woman scorned. With lines like, “I’ve been burned before, ain’t gonna touch that stove again” and “When it comes to true love, I’m accident prone”, EG brings her pain to life. The sullen rhythm and stinging guitar leads are right there with her.
With a title like “You’re Driving Me Crazy” betting the house that it’s about a man would be a very good wager. As a matter of fact, this guy didn’t just drive EG crazy – with the emphasis on word, he drives her “cra…yay…ya…zy”. With Gary and Sean in a shuffle groove, right here Ken lays down some of the disc’s best guitar work.
Apparently, “Alone Too Long” was originally done as a country song. Here’s EG’s take on it: “This was one of the first songs I wrote, many years ago. I wrote it after a breakup but didn’t realize at the time it was a blues song.” Although she says “It still fits me”, EG updated it a bit for this album. With lyrics like…
“Is it my hair, is it my clothes, is it my age, do you suppose?
I wanna know what I’m doing wrong.
Is it my walk, is it my talk, is it my size, is it my eyes?
I wanna know what I’m doing wrong.
Is it my house, is it my car, is because I play guitar?
I wanna know what I’m doing wrong.
Is it my songs, is it my style, is it the way that I smile?
I’m not wrong, and I’ve been alone too long.”
it’s quite clear that in addition to her frustration being undeniable, the situation clearly left EG with a feeling of insecurity. Indeed, this is a blues song! Because of the maestro Ken Wynn once again being absolutely masterful at his skills, this was my favorite guitar track.
John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” is a song that, like everyone else, I have heard more times than I can count, by more artists than I can count. That said, the song never had much clout until I head EG sing it on her “Southern Comfort” CD back in 2003. Now the only reason I brought that up is because the way I felt hearing EG sing that song back then, is exactly how I now feel about hearing her sing “Hallelujah” (Cohen). With such emotion and intensity, the way she belted out this hymn she could have done it from the balcony and her majestic voice would have filled the church. WOW!
Other songs on this magnificent release include: “Come On In My Kitchen” (Johnson); “Feelin’ A Healin'” (Kight); “Tell Me” (Kight/Horner); and “Falling” (Kight/Horner).
To purchase and/or get your hands on a copy of “The Trio Sessions” for airplay, and to find out more about EG Kight, just go to the her website – www.egkightmusic.com. When you do, please tell her that her buddy the Blewzzman sent you.
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 Keeping the Blues Alive Recipient
