Elly Roberts reviews
Elkie Brooks: Electric Lady
Distributed by
Swing Café
- Released: March 2005
- Rating: 6/10
- Cat.no: SWING 003
Shaking off the shackles of her pop ballads, Elkie Brooks
(born Elaine Bookbinder 25 Feb 1945) goes full circle and reverts back to base.
In response from fans on her website to record a Blues album, Elkie has gone
some way to appease them. It’s evolved into a far more eclectic selection than
expected-folk, ballads, rhythm & blues and blues.
The female equivalent of Rod Stewart, smokey voiced Elkie Brooks hits all the
right notes on Electric Lady (maybe it should have been Eclectic Lady),
as she returns to her roots whilst with Vinegar Joe.
This eleven-tracker will no doubt be picked up by BBC Radio 2 programme controllers.
Although I’m familiar with the hit singles, Pearl’s A Singer,Lilac Wine
and No More The Fool, this is my first dip into one of her non-secular
albums: and it’s a pleasant surprise.
Co-written and produced by Jermaine Jordan, the pair have come up with songs of
real substance, perfectly suiting her distinctive voice.
Awash with unpretentious and lush production, the tracks have an earthy
ambience led by her wistful singing which spans the entire collection.
Musicianship is predictably top-drawer (check guitar on He’s So Good Looking
and Roadhouse Blues).
It’s unlikely to spawn big hit singles, except possibly He’s So Good Looking.
Nevertheless it’s great return to form. As the song title suggests - she’s a
white girl lost in the blues. Top tracks: The Brighter Side, Try Harder.
Welcome home Elkie.
Weblink:
Elkie-Brooks.com (for 2005 UK tour dates and venues)
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
