ANA POPOVIC "UNCONDITIONAL" Source: Blues In Britian Date: 08/2011 Writer: Mick Rainsford

Ana Popovic "Unconditional"

“Unconditional” could have been released on Eclecto Groove’s sister label, Delta Groove” as this is Ana Popovic’s bluesiest record to date – although the photo on the album’s cover is as uplifting as it is “unconditional” and will certainly banish any blues that male purchasers may have.

Popovic is feisty and overtly sexual, a fact borne out on the opening track, “Fearless Blues” where her vocals have a strong Koko Taylor feel, and Jon Cleary adds Spannesque piano to Popovic’s Muddy styled slide – the gospel infused backing vocals adding exciting textures to the mix.  “Count Me In” is a “hot” Chicago styled shuffle with Popovic sounding like the great Mary Lane, her vocals underpinned by searing slide, wailing harp (Jason Ricci) and “comping” organ (Jon Cleary) – the title track features Popovic’s wistfully vocals with slide and piano weaving a sensual web around them – whilst “Slideshow” is a swampy instrumental duet between Popovic and Sonny Landreth with Doug Belote laying down Spam Hill Country inspired drums.

On “Business As Usual” Popovic’s vocals are permeated with a tough Lil Green feel accentuated by ferocious slide – she demonstrates a Sugar Pie Desanto style of strutting on Cannonball Adderley’s “Work Song”, replete with jazz inflected guitar and organ (David Torkanowski) – accentuating this feel with a stunning rendition of Desanto’s “Soulful Dress” where her vocals are matched by the strutting horns of Leon Kid “Chocolate” Brown and Tom Fitzpatrick.

Mercy Walton’s “One Room Country Shack” is transformed into a desolate soul blues – Cora Taylor’s “Voodoo Woman” has a churning New Orleans feel á la Dr John replete with Johnny Jenkins styled guitar and soulful vocals that conjure up an image of a female Wolfman Wahington – whilst “Your Love Ain’t Real” features teasing vocals and funky slide.

Popovic’s music has always been based in the blues but has also been tempered by her” rock-chick” image – this set amply demonstrates that she is really a “blues-woman” at heart.

Rating 9