Rating:
Genre:
Blues
Release Date: 10/11/2005
On her first outing in three years and her freshman offering for
Verve's
Forecast label,
Susan Tedeschi digs deep into the
soul and
R&B fakebook for inspiration and comes out a winner. With an all-star band that includes guitarist
Doyle Bramhall II, pianist
David Palmer, organist
Jebin Bruni, bassist
Paul Bryan, drummer
Jay Bellerose, and guests including husband
Derek Trucks and
the Blind Boys of Alabama,
Tedeschi goes down into her own heart's well for inspiration. Wonderfully produced by
Joe Henry,
Hope and Desire is truly a singer's showcase of passion and class; she has signature phrasing and is an excellent interpreter.
Henry proves that
Tedeschi is one hell of a singer. From the roots-
country blues of the
Jagger and
Richards opener,
"You Got the Silver," to the hardcore
soul of
Otis Redding's
"Security" (her version is closer to the
Etta James reading than
Redding's but
Tedeschi puts her own hard spin on it), the garbage-can
blues guitar of
Percy Mayfield's ripping
"The Danger Zone," and the finger-poppin'
R&B of
"Tired of My Tears," Tedeschi proves she's second to none by wringing every ounce of truth from these classic tunes. In addition, her subtle, to-the-bone reading of
Bob Dylan's
"Lord Protect My Child" (with great Dobro work by
Trucks), a definitive version of
Iris DeMent's
"Sweet Forgiveness," and
Dorsey Brunette's
"Magnificent Sanctuary Band" offer solid proof that
Tedeschi can sing
gospel as well. In fact, based on the evidence here, she can sing any damn thing she likes and move your heart, making you believe every word and wail in the grain of a song. That's as high a compliment as one can pay.
~Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
;)
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