First there was Orianthi making waves with her "This Is It" performance and the much lauded Grammy performance where she apparently outshone Carrie Underwood, then releasing her first US alsum "Believe". But that one was more pop/rock, and I thought the efforts to show off her chops weren't too great, though there were some good moments on that album.
Then now I stumble across Joanne Shaw Taylor. I got her release this year "White Sugar", and honestly? It's great! Killer Tele Tones, soulful voice (Orianthi still sounds like a Britney Spears who can actually sing) and actually pretty good songwriting.
(I didn't want to post a picture of her, since every pic I could find has her holding a Tele... I don't want BP screaming at me this early in the morning...)
She's very SRV-like in this album, with some hints of Albert Collins and some Freddie King. I'm hearing a lot of old blues from her, but what's really cool is she manages to stay a bit away from some of the old cliche licks most of the time. The solo playing I find is a bit not so inspiring (I mean, it's good, but it's not WOW), but her rhythm work is killer. I can't remember the last time I've heard a Tele sound so nice and upfront. I wish there were more recordings like this.
Her voice is like a mix between Richie Kotzen and Eric Martin. A bit more rough and breathy than Bonnie Raitt's. She's a bit less fiery than SRV, but more soul.
Oddly, I also find her stuff a bit John Mayer-esque. But the good JM rather than the bad JM. More like his "Try" Album rather than "Continuum".
Definately worth checking out!
P.S. Oh, she's British.
Originally Posted by petruccirocks02
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