Blues Revue Sista Monica, whose versatility and vocal talent are right up there with fellow Bay Area resident Etta James, has returned with a new purpose. This news seemed doubtful not so long ago, when the singer faced a battle with cancer, but the self-produced, self-penned, self-distributed Can't Keep a Good Woman Down! trumpets Parkerıs determination and spirit.
Parker is one of today's great voices. The disc sounds terrific, with a huge soundstage, clear imaging, and a punchy, balanced mix. Steve Savageıs production couldnıt have been better. Of course, he had superior music to work with: Parker is capable of both subtlety and overwhelming power; she sings rather than shouts, delivers meaningful interpretations (as she explains in ³The Truth²), and has an unerring sense of how to present and phrase a lyric. Her longtime songwriting collaborator, Danny Beconcini, is superb on piano, organ, and clavinet. Guitarists Dan Caron, Sammy Varela Jr., Terry Hiatt, Chris Cobb, Chris Cain, Mike Schermer, and Larry McCray shuffle lead and rhythm duties.
Horns from Doug Rowan and Mike Olmos round out the cast. The album features stone funk in a James Brown pastiche ("Crock Pot") and a pair of funky blues (³The Truth² and the title track, with powerful guitar from McCray). Parker touches on a second-line rhythm ("Lip Service") and revisits her roots (³Cookinı With Grease² and the true-life "Itıs Good To
Be Alive," with its testifying chorus). The remainder of the disc is divided between high-energy contemporary blues ("Surrender to Love," featuring Schermerıs Albert Collins-inspired guitar) and sublime ballads (the elegant, impassioned "Leave the Door Open"). The albumıs only covers are a drop-you-to-your-knees reading of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and a beautifully sung "Funny How Time Slips Away," modeled on Al Greenıs version.
Parker is one of todayıs great voices, and from practically every point of view -- composition, arrangement, performance, sonics -- Canıt Keep a Good Woman Down! is a triumph. ... --TOM HYSLOP, Blues Revue 2005 --Back to Reviews Page
