Lindsey Beaver -Tough as Love
Lindsey Beaver
Tough as Love
(Alligator Records)
Auston Texas based Lindsey Beaver is a genuine triple threat, with her talents as a singer, songwriter and drummer are fully showcased on her solo debut on the legendary label Alligator Records ‘Tough As Love,’ released in October 2018. Beaver wrote seven of the album’s twelve tracks, the striking originals melding seamlessly with the perfectly-chosen covers that are glorious romp thru jump blues, classic R&B and raw Rock N Roll. Her drumming chops are on par with anyone in the business, as she supports the tunes with a deep pocket and tasty chops, but her vocal skills are almost beyond compare. Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records president is quoted as saying “She’s like the love child of Amy Winehouse and Little Richard,” and that is underselling her ferocious power and depth. The transplant from Halifax has training as a classical soprano and jazz drummer and recorded five albums with her previous band The 24th Street Wailers earning an international following and a Juno nomination.
Beaver kicks off the album with a mighty drum intro to ‘Your Evil,’ drawing instant comparisons to a young Etta James as howls on the heavy double shuffle that features hot blues harp from Dennis Gruenling and jagged lead from her guitarist Brad Stivers. The New Orleans R&B tune ‘Too Cold To Cry,’ with Marcia Ball Sitting in on piano has her sounding more like Big Joe Turner and the jumping ‘What A Fool You’ve Been,’ is spiced with tasty horn blasts. Her vocals on the incendiary slow Blues cover Little Willie John tune ‘You Hurt Me,’ are more in line with Screaming Jay Hawkins. She and Stivers trade barbs on ‘Don’t be Afraid To Love,’ and the revved-up beat and Bass line from Josh Williams on ‘Got Love If You Want it,’ are simply infectious. That is only the half of it as she and the band continue to rip it up for five more killing dance floor filling numbers. The Blues manifesto ‘Dangerous,’ cleverly encrypts Beaver’s personal mantra in a hand off my man song that speaks more about her whole approach to music, delivered over a tricky syncopated back shuffle drum pattern that few pro players could pull off. The shout along track ‘Oh Yeah,’ is an Eddie Cochran dance party and Beaver and Stivers both wail on the dramatic ‘Lost Cause,’ a marvelous tribute to fellow Texas blues woman Angela Strehli. They breath fire into the deep cut from the Northern Soul label Liberty records ‘She’ll Be Gone,’ that has the distinct Henry Mancini influence of the guitar and piano playing in unison for a sinister effect. Piano man Matt Ferrell throws down great barrelhouse on the Art Neville Mardi Gras Rock -N- Roll B-Side ‘Lets Rock.’ The fabulous Laura Chavez splits sizzling guitar leads on album closer ‘Mean To Me,’ that swings with supersonic power complete with a blazing drum solo. This big label debut should land Lindsey Beaver in the spotlight, drawing her well-deserved attention from Blues Fans and the Drumming world.
http://www.lindsaybeaver.com
Rick J Bowen
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