Shari Puorto - Real (2011)

Stuart Hamilton: If you've been here before, you should have no doubt that Ms Puorto is a fabulous singer. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, she's right up there with Bonnie Bramlett in my pantheon of soulful blues singers, and I don't give higher praise than that. Of this, her third CD, Ms Puorto says;While you listen to this CD, I hope you go on a ride and feel something old, something new, as I stay true to keeping the music's meaning and message: Direct, Open, Raw and Real. And to that end, rock and blues legend Barry Goldberg is along for the ride again, co-writing and producing most of the album with Shari. The sole cover is a run through of the Susan Tedeschi sung tune, 'Rock Me Right', and it's easy to see why they went there, as Ms Puorto mines a similar field. She has a similar voice that soars, sweeps and roars as the song requires, going from grit to grandeur and back again. At its best, this record mixes up blues, soul, funk and some swampy vibes, that leaves you more than satisfied. the best of the bunch are the driving 'Love Fever; the horndog slow blues of 'All I Want Is You' and the laid back funky vibes of 'Who's Gonna Put Out The Fire?' and the acoustic blues of 'Lonely Man'. If you like your blues with a heap of soul and passion, then you'd be a fool to miss out on this. So don't be an eejit, just click the link below instead.