CD Reviews

Ms. Vicki’s In Town

The Vicki Stevens Band

Self-Produced

The Vicki Stevens Band originated out of Albany, Oregon a few years back from the weekly Calapooia blues jams hosted by harmonica man Froggy Hyland. The musicians are all stellar and come together to create such a party atmosphere that is displayed with the finest quality on their new CD, Ms. Vicki’s In Town. Along with Froggy on harp and slide guitar, Dennis Monroe tears it up with his guitar mastery, exceptional rhythm from Jim Badalich on bass and Ron Rocci on drums, all complimenting Vicki Stevens’ powerful vocals that can harken blues greats like Big Mama Thornton and Shemekia Copeland. It’s high energy, down in the alley and just plain good times when this band works together.

Engineered by Dennis Carter at Falcon Studios in Portland, the song writing emphasizes Stevens’ voice to a tee and the band is in prime form. Monroe knows how to make his guitar talk to your emotions as exemplified on his own penned number “Crazy ‘Bout My Baby”and the very haunting song of abuse “More Blues Please.” Froggy Hyland wrote the majority of the tracks here, proving he has the wit and wisdom to lay down quality lyrics to tell first-class blues tales. His harmonica work on tunes like “Good Lovin’ Tonight” and “Tell Me The Truth” are grinding and driving the impact pace behind the insurgence of the musical flow. Ms. Vicki also blows a nice bit of harmonica on the recording herself.

Ms. Vicki’s In Town is a call out to all blues fans in the Northwest and beyond. Watch out for this group because you’re in for a thrill ride that is going to expand your musical pleasure senses to the extreme. Do not miss out on this party on a disc. As the opening track declares, it’s “sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet!”

Total Time: 54:44

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet / Ms. Vicki’s In Town / Crazy ‘Bout My Baby / Sweet Thang / Big Room / More Blues Please / Good Lovin’ Tonight / Last Call / Kiss And A Hug / Tell Me The Truth / Bonus Track