After the progressive rock of the Italians of 'Barock Project', we change style to go to the land of the blues with the new baby of 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' which is called 'Heavy Soul' and which is a continuation of her last two albums 'The Blues Album' of 2021 and 'Nobody's Fool' from 2022 with a sort of judicious mix between her blues roots and this more contemporary pop/soul style that she had highlighted in the last opus.
A dozen original compositions and covers punctuate this album, and from the start, we are taken into effective blues/rock with 'Sweet 'Lil Lies' which automatically turns on the hand-clap machine on the very catchy tempo of this title. Change of scenery with the cover 'All the Way From America' of 'Joan Armatrading' which offers a very pleasant acoustic atmosphere and which perpetuates this country/blues filled with beautiful nostalgia, then, with 'Black Magic', the American shows that his blues roots are very present on this album with this very beautiful accompaniment of the singers 'Jade MacRae' and 'Dannielle DeAndrea' eyeing radiant gospel and with admirable solos whether on piano or guitar. The following cover 'Drowning in a Sea of Love' by 'Kenneth Gamble' and 'Léon Huff' continues in this authentic blues which allows 'Joanne Shaw Taylor' to offer us a magnificent guitar solo in the middle of the title (see the video above), then, 'A Good Goodbye' takes us into a more moderate and very pleasant rhythm with new very beautiful choirs (see the video here). The title song regains vigor and gives you an irresistible desire to move to the rhythm of the music, 'Joanne Show Taylor' once again giving a great demonstration with not one but two wonderful solos including one in the masterful finale (see the video here). The tempo remains high with 'Wild Love' which displays a more funky face bringing a feeling of relaxation, then, the cover 'Someone Like You' of 'Van Morrison' shows all the sensuality that the American knows so well how to release in atmospheres more subdued. The end of the album highlights the single 'Wild Love' which is good blues/rock well rhythmic on the three chords of rock and, in this title, we find remarkable vocal arrangements, the choirs returning to accompany 'Joanne Show Taylor' in a very beautiful way (see the video here), then, 'Change Of Heart', co-written with 'Beth Nielsen Chapman' closing very beautiful way 'Heavy Soul' in a feeling of optimism with a chorus that we want to sing along with 'Joanne Show Taylor' (see video here).
In summary, it is no surprise that 'Joanne Show Taylor' offers us a remarkable new album which continues the blues/rock path which made her known but which also evolves to diversify her repertoire by incorporating, here and there, pop and soul influences as she started with her last album while keeping this authenticity which characterizes her so well... | |
