Gráinne Duffy – Dirt Woman Blues

Gráinne Duffy – Dirt Woman Blues

Blue Heart Records – 2023

www.grainneduffy.com

9 tracks; 36 minutes

This is Irish singer/guitarist Gráinne Duffy’s fifth album release since her 2007 debut. Recorded in California with Marc Ford (Black Crowes) and Chris Goldsmith producing, Gráinne offers nine original compositions written with husband Paul Sherry, Gráinne responsible for all the lyrics. The band for the session was Gráinne on vocals and guitar, Paul and Marc also on guitar, plus Gary Clark Jr’s rhythm section (Marc’s son Elijah Ford on bass, keys and B/V’s and JJ Johnson on drums); John Ginty and Peter Levin contribute keys to a track each and Sam Goldsmith provides additional piano, percussion and vocals. The material is varied, including blues, rock and soul elements, as well as touches of Celtic music, resulting in a pleasing combination.

Those who felt that some of Gráinne’s previous albums were a little too ‘light’ will be pleased by the heavier feel of some of the material here, such as the impressive opener “Well, Well, Well” which has superb twin guitar work, the exciting slide playing a feature as Gráinne sets out her plans in life. The title track takes us to the Delta with Gráinne’s earthy and impassioned vocal set over moody accompaniment and a distorted title line that works well in the context of the song. “What’s It Going To Be” lightens the mood, a love song with a bright, catchy rhythm, the romantic theme carried forward to the following cut, “Running Back To You”, a song with a real 1960’s feel, the sort of R&B tune that the Beatles might have covered in their early days, complete with some fine interchanges between the three guitarists.

Drummer JJ sets a great rhythm for “Rise Above” and Elijah displays a sure touch on the bass throughout, an interesting tune with clear Celtic connections and surprisingly little guitar work. However, that is quickly resolved as a Southern Rock riff underpins the singalong opening of “Sweet Liberation” that develops into a boogie-driven finale. “Hold On To You” drops the pace for a ballad that Gráinne sings with suitable vulnerability in her voice before the band rocks out on “Yes I Will”, a defiant statement of intent lyrically from Gráinne as the three guitarists all riff furiously, definitely the heaviest track on the album. Gráinne embraces her roots on closer “Killycrum”, her home in County Monaghan, acoustic guitar providing the pastoral feel and lyrical references to being soothed, to things being the way they should be.

To try to locate Gráinne Duffy for American audiences the easy comparison might be to Bonnie Raitt, but Gráinne deserves her own place in the musical firmament, without such comparisons. A varied album played with skill and passion, well worth hearing.

Please follow and like us:

0