ANA POPOVIC "STILL MAKING HISTORY" Source: Blues News | Kentuckiana Blues Society Date: 12/2009 Writer: Les Reynolds

Big. Bold. Sassy & sometimes brassy.  Ana Popovic’s latest release once again provides a lot of excitement and musical variety focusing on her excellent guitar skills.  It’s becoming a but more challenging to totally classify this 30-something Serbian born guitar goddess as a full-on blues woman; but, you can still hear plenty of blues roots and influences over a dozen selections almost all arranged, composed and /or written by her and /or Anna along with members of her band.

The entire CD is very well done.  As noted, the “big and “bold…brassy” sounds come from a fair sized band that includes a saxophone, keyboard and trumpet along with all the other usual suspects and instruments.  It’s very well produced—this one, perhaps, just to the very tip edge of being over-produced.  While Ana’s guitar is the focus, as always, there seems to be a bit of emphasis on her – improved? – vocals in this one.  There’s ample room for her to try her singing on a variety of styles: jazz, blues, rock, funk, and even gospel-type songs.  Her accent is still heavy and while not exactly conducive to singing the blues, there’s something kinda nice about it, anyway.  And the title track, a somewhat syrupy, bittersweet ballad of sorts, actually makes her singing sound, well sweet.

Speaking of singing, the use of backup vocals on this recording is quite well done.  Julie Delgado, Kenna Ramsey and Billy Valentine offer a rousing effort on several tunes and with the help of production and engineering, sound at times like a full gospel choir.  The entire band does a good job.  A nod needs to go the rhythm section of Ronald Jonker on bass, Andrew Thomas on drums and Tony Braunagel on drums and percussion with Lenny Castro also on percussion.  Popovic tunes are all about the guitar, but also very strong on the beat, and her touring band provides a rock solid foundation.