CANDYE KANE "SISTER VAGABOND" Source: Blues & Rhythm (UK) Date: 08/2011 Writer: Gary von Tersch

Sister Vagabond

Blues diva and former stripper Candye Kane has been called a survivor, a superhero and the toughest gal alive -– in her own song titles. And justifiably so, it seems, as they are fairly apt descriptions of the very attractive jump blues singer, more-than-able songwriter, pancreatic cancer survivor and mother of two strapping sons from East Los Angeles who earned each of those monikers the hard way. Her sophomore Delta Groove project (after three commendable issues from Ruf) features guitarist and co-producer (with Kane) Laura Chavez along with a rhythm section, on most tracks, of bassist Kennan Shaw and drummer Paul Fasulo.

Stephen Hodges commandeers the drum stool on a few tracks while other guests include organist Mark Weisz, saxophonist Jonny Viau (who adds extra verve to a couple of clever Kane/Chavez originals: 'Love Insurance' and 'Have A Nice Day'), pianist Sue Palmer (with a nifty barrelhouse oriented break on the ironic 'You Never Cross My Mind'), string bassist Thomas Yearsley, harmonica ace James Harman (who shadows Kane's brassy vocal on a forthright 'Everybody's Gonna Love Somebody Tonight') and slide and baritone guitarist Nathan James, who adds some penetrating commentary on Kane's version of the late San Diego musician Steve White's age-old lament 'Down With The Blues'.

Other covers nod to both Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and Brenda Lee, with Chavez's guitar particularly bristling on a sassy recall of Watson's classic 'I Love To Love You', while Lee's pop hit 'Sweet Nothin's' comes nicely flavoured with a swampy, Excello-esque feeling. Most of the remaining cuts are Kane/Chavez originals – highlights are a couple more brokenhearted blues (the hard-nosed, saucy 'Side Dish' and a vibrant, harmony rich 'You Can't Hurt Me Anymore') along with an angry, Tom Waits/Otis Rush-vibed commentary on Hurricane Katrina's aftermath called 'You Can't Take It Back' and the sound-effects enhanced 'Walkin', Talkin' Haunted House'. Not the place to start with Ms. Kane (the production is a little too slick in spots) but fans already can certainly dig in.