CANDYE KANE "SISTER VAGABOND" Source: Rebel Rod's From Under the Basement Date: 08/2011 Writer: 'Rebel' Rod Ames

'Rebel' Rod's Reviews – Candye Kane's "Sister Vagabond" (Delta Groove Music) is a fantastic new blues record from an incredible blues artist

I have listened to this wonderful new CD repeatedly since receiving it back in late June or early July. Unlike many records that I play the hell out of, this one has never grown tiresome.

In fact, there is something quite mystical about Candye Kane's "Sister Vagabond". It is as if I'm hearing something new and different every time I listen to it.

Is it possible that she has pulled off a "Robert Johnson" and made some sort of a deal with the devil that casts some sort of a spell over the listener? I'm beginning to think so.

On this, her eleventh long player, co-producer and guitarist Laura Chavez joins her, adding another dimension to an already at least 3 dimensional record. Yes, the multi-talented diva takes us into the impossibly real musical fourth dimension.

I was captivated within the first few bars of the very first track, Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "I Love to Love You". The guitar is monstrous and her voice is silky smooth with just the right amount of sultry rasp to make it [her voice] as sexy as anything I can recall hearing in recent times.

For me, the most enjoyable tune on the record is "Walkin', Talkin' Haunted House" – the guitars constantly wail just underneath her emotionally strong voice, expounding lyrics that are somehow simple and painful. It is a tune about the torture of lost love. The guitars, her voice, the lyrics all come together to form an almost perfect blues tune.

The CD is a monster containing thirteen tracks worth of amazingly performed blues, boogie-woogie, and jazz. With the exception of three or four tunes, all of the songs on "Sister Vagabond" are written by Candy Kane and Laura Chavez.

Some of the musicians that join Ms. Kane and Ms. Chavez are Kennan Shaw on Bass, Paul Fasulo on Drums, Stephen Hodges on Drums, Mark Weisz on Organ, Jonny Viau on Saxophone, April West on Trombone, Sue Palmer on Piano, James Harman on Harmonica, Thomas Yearsley on String Bass, David Mosby on Vocals (track 8), Eddie Baytos on Accordion and Frattoire, Matt Hensley on Accordion (track 11), Tony Matoian on Baritone Saxophone, Nathan James on Slide Guitar and Baritone Guitar, Jeff Ross on Guitar, and Billy Watson on Harmonica on track 13. Quite the line-up!

Candye Kane's "Sister Vagabond" released today on Delta Groove music. I only mentioned a couple tunes out of the thirteen here, but believe me, every song on the record is a treasure.

'Rebel' Rod says check it out.