Samantha Fish - Black Winds Howlin' (2013)

Samantha Fish won the Best New Artist Debut at the 2012 Blues Music Awards for her 2011 album Runaway, and the Kansas City blueswoman also added her vocals to Devon Allman’s cover of the Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks classic “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” for his 2013 album Turquoise. Royal Southern Brotherhood co-founder Mike Zito helped produce Fish's debut album and returns to work his magic on this follow-up, Black Wind Howlin’. Brotherhood bassist Charlie Wooton and drummer Yonrico Scott join Paul Thorn, Johnny Sansone, and Bo Thomas to fill out the backing band. From there, Fish leads them to some genuine and nasty places with her talents as a blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, from the hard-rocking “Miles to Go” to the dirty guitars of “Go to Hell” and “Sucker Born.” For an acoustic touch, the ballad “Over You” delivers convincingly. “Lay It Down” nails a sultry groove that shows why Fish has garnered respect in the blues community. “Last September” explores genuine country music with her strong and empathetic vocals.