At this cooler time of year in the southern hemisphere you need some quality music to warm your soul, and that’s exactly what Joanne Shaw Taylor’s latest offering dishes up. The British blues rocker has released her 9th studio album into the world, and it really packs a punch to get that blood pumping. Recorded in Nashville’s iconic RCA studio, Heavy Soul is a musical journey of emotions that not only showcases Taylor’s songwriting talent and musical prowess, but also her ability to translate the work of others in the form of the magical cover tracks added to this collection of work.
The opening track Sweet Lil’ Lies with its catchy guitar hook reels you right in and really sets the tone. The first cover song on the album is All the Way from America by Joan Armatrading, and whilst Taylor’s arrangement stays comfortably close to the original, she still manages to make the song her own whilst also demanding your undivided attention. Black Magic provides that authentic southern blues sound with a gritty guitar that dares you not to move your body to the groove, and it’s easy to see why this has already become a crowd favourite. The funky piano solo mixed with the backing vocals also manage to give the song a gospel feel, ticking all the boxes for those who dig this combined style of music.
Joe Simon’s Drowning in a Sea of Love is another cover that gives off a real 70’s soul/funk feel and has Joanne’s smoky tones perfectly complimenting the vibe. A good blues album wouldn’t be complete without a dose of heartache for good measure, and A Good Goodbye delivers the goods making you want to reach for that bottle of wine and a box of tissues. The lyrics “I don’t know why you’re only happy when I’m hurting” is bound to conjure up every shitty breakup you’ve had to endure. The title track, Heavy Soul, has got a brilliantly juicy guitar solo, and with its heavy drum and bass line it’s almost a bit sensuous-feeling and is definitely a standout track for me.
Wild Love ups the tempo again with its syncopated rhythm, before things slow down a notch with Van Morrison’s Someone Like You. Once again putting her own spin on this marvellous classic, you would be forgiven for thinking that this song was written specifically for her voice. Devil in Me lights a fire within as it delivers raw lyrics, accompanied by a faster minor melody rock sound that has subtle undertones of 50’s rockabilly. Change of Heart rounds out this album beautifully with some iconic throaty vocals, and a melody that can only be described as uplifting and hopeful.
With her masterful songwriting and musicianship, Joanne Shaw Taylor is no stranger to the music world. With her smooth and sultry but rock-edged voice it is reminiscent of the likes of Joss Stone, with even a touch if Melissa Etheridge. This is an album that will cover all moods and have you riding every emotion, and is bound to be a hit for old and new fans alike.
8/10
