Three words: Real. Live. Blues. That’s the best way to describe Nakia and the Blues Grifters. Formed in 2010, this band delivers a powerful performance filled with energy and emotion that connects to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether they are playing a funky fried groove nugget dripping with soul and swamp or a sweet swinging dance song with echoes of the blues masters, Nakia and the Blues Grifters always leave you wanting more.
Nakia handles the lead vocals, organ and piano on the record. Producer Mac McNabb provides guitars, percussion, mellotron and backing vocals. Chris Johnson is on bass, Kevin Lance on drums, Jan Flemming on organ and piano, and the double saxophone attack comes from Vinnie Limon and Steve Johnson.
“Yonder Wall” becomes a funk-slathered, growling dance hit in Nakia’s capable hands.”Somebody’s Sleeping in My Bed,” is a slow-burner with the power of Buddy Guy and the soul of Johnnie Taylor. And that’s just the first two tracks. More than enough to have our full attention and then some.
“Gimme Some of Yours,” has that Southern soul thang going on, while “Double Trouble” comes across powerful enough to leave both sweat and tears on any dance floor. Back and forth we go from the uptempo “Woman Don’t Lie” and the early rock feeling of “Ain’t That Loving You Baby,” to the seven-minute scorcher “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination.” Nakia takes listeners to a virtual precipice on each and every track, always leaving us wanting more.
The CD contains two bonus tracks, “Hoodoo Party,” and “300 Pounds of Joy.” If that weren’t enough, fans can also download Nakia’s version of “Whipping Post,” Gregg Allman’s classic that debuted with the Allman Brothers in 1969 and was made even more famous a couple years later with its nearly 23 minute live version from At Fillmore East. Nakia’s take on the song clocks in at around four-and-a-half minutes, but has a jazzy, funky feel culminates in a frenzy that left us exhausted just from listening. Normally, we’re vinyl addicts around here, and CDs are the usual form of receipt, but the digital download gives us “Whipping Post,” and for that, we’re eternally grateful.
“I started the band as a way for me to cut loose and get lost in the blues, so I wanted this album to be a homage to the great blues artists who inspired me,” Nakia recalls, “but The Voice happened and I couldn’t reach the finish line on the record. Once Mac and I got back together and listened to the tapes, we committed to finish the album. We cut these songs using old ribbon mics, analog gear and tape machines. Many of the songs recorded live, all in the room together. Real live blues — the way it was meant to be.”
That’s exactly how the album came across to us. Except for the lack of crowd noise and clinking glasses, we sat nearly mesmerized by the sound. Like we were right there at C-Boy’s listening to the band groove. Well worth the price of admission, Blues Grifter doesn’t disappoint in any way.
Tracklist:
1.Yonder Wall
2.Somebody’s Sleeping In My Bed
3.Gimme Some Of Yours
4.Double Trouble
5.Woman Don’t Lie
6.Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby
7.Go On To School
8.I’ve Got To Use My Imagination
9.Hoodoo Party
10.300 Pounds Of Joy
11.Whipping Post
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