CHERRY LEE MEWIS
“Little Girl Blue”
(Self-release - CLM01)
All the way from that hotbed of the blues - Colwyn Bay, North Wales - comes 22 years old Cherry Lee Mewis - with a most appealing collection of old-time, jazzy blues - all delivered with her fine husky voice, with just the right amount of grit and soulfulness when required.
With excellent production from Max Milligan and ex-Argent member, John Verity, she is able to deliver the songs backed by the sympathetic, non-obtrusive playing of the afore-mentioned Milligan on a variety of acoustic guitars, bass and mandolin; the stand-up bass of Dave Jenkins and harmonica from Jeff Dakin, with John Verity contributing backing vocals and some guitar.
The generous 14-song collection spans around 80 years - from the twenties songs of Memphis Minnie and Jelly Roll Morton up to a nice take on the late Jeff Buckley’s “Everybody Here Wants You” - featured here as a bonus track.
Cherry Lee certainly gives her all on this album - and any fan of the best lady blues singers will find a lot to appeal - highlights being Robert Johnson’s “Red Hot”; the traditional “Wade In The Water” and Jimmy Reed’s great “Shame, Shame, Shame” - with Milligan’s acoustic guitar picking to the fore!
The original “Ugly Night” sees Jeff Dakin supplying some nice harmonica, with another nod to her influences on an a capella performance on Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”; with a vocal duet featuring John Verity of Koko Taylor’s “The Man Next Door”.
This is a most promising release from a new name to me - a nice album all-round and I would suggest, a young lady to watch out for!
GRAHAME RHODES
For more information check-out
www.myspace.com/cherryleemewis
Editors addition
There are of course YouTube clips
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