3608 - JEAN SHY & THE SHY GUYS - The Blues Got Soul (2009)
JEAN SHY & THE SHY GUYS
''THE BLUES GOT SOUL''
JANYARY 8 2009
68:04
1. I Wouldn't Wanna Be You/3:45
2. Unchain My Heart/6:24
3. Song for You/4:37
4. Living the Blues/4:53
5. Never Loved a Man/3:08
6. One Day (Blues Version)/5:54
7. I Can't Save You (From Yourself)/5:14
8. We Like the Same Thangs/4:09
9. Precious Memories/4:52
10. Rock Me/10:48
11. Old Time Rock'n Roll/9:20
12. Amazing Grace/5:00
Jean Shy/Vocals
Klaus Zimmermann/Guitars
Martin Hoette/Guitars
Frieso Luecht/Keyboards
Sascha Kuehn/Keyboards
Volker Wendland/Keyboards
Bernhard Spiess/Drums
Hendrik Smock/Drums
Peter Bruemmer/Bass
Michael ''Schnuff'' Strohm/Bass, Backing Vocals
Bernd Winterschladen/Saxophone
George Mahr/B3 Hammond Organ
Ruth Bongartz/Backing Vocals
REVIEW
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
"The Blues Got Soul" is Jean Shy's latest of many releases that crisscross several genres. This project was mostly recorded live at the "Open Air Festival" in Duisburg, Germany.
The opening track, "I Wouldn't Wanna Be You", is - in every sense of the word - powerful. Jean is amazingly strong on the vocals and yet, I got the feeling she wasn't even reaching all that deep just yet. Reinforced by a potent rhythm section and solid guitar leads made this one of the disc highlights.
"Unchain My Heart" seems to have unchained the bass player. On this very funky number, Peter is certainly at disc's - and possibly even career - best. Of course when there's funk involved, fierce sax riffs can't be far behind, and Bernd does get his share in. Vocally, this had to be one of the songs responsible for that BMA nomination.
It's this writers opinion that one of the most beautiful songs ever written is "Song For You", by Leon Russell. It's also this writers opinion that this was an absolutely splendid version of that song. Jean, Frieso and Bernd were flawless on vocals, piano and sax.
"One Day" is one of several Jean Shy originals and ya didn't need to read that to know it. Staying close to her Gospel roots, you can always count on hearing some spirituality coming from this lady - and this is one of a few. Great lyrics, vocals, background vocals and organ highlight this one.
One listen to this track will leave you with "Precious Memories" of what Jean Shy is all about. Yeah she can boogie, yeah she can rock and yeah she can jazz it up, but these slow and soulful ballads are her signature, and they're the main reason for people saying she has a "Golden Throat".
Eleven minute tracks usually feature everyone in the band getting in some highlights, and they all do on this version of Muddy's "Rock Me". However, the mesmeric guitar playing runs away with this one. Klaus and Martin were beyond amazing. Great stuff right here.
Other tracks on "The Blues Got Soul" are: "Livin' The Blues", "Never Loved A Man", "I Can't Save You (From Yourself)", "We Like The Same Thangs", "Old Time Rock 'n Roll" and "Amazing Grace".
Check out Jean Shy & The Shy Guys - who by the way, didn't sound all that shy to me - by going to www.jeanshy.com. Once there, you know the drill - buy something and tell them the Blewzzman sent ya.
ABOUT JEAN SHY
By CDBaby
The European Press glorifies her with headlines like The Queen Of The Night, Golden Throat, The Blues-Pipe, The Voice Of The Lord, The Blues-Roarer, Dynamite Stick, and many more.
The Lady they are talking about is internationally acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Actress JEAN SHY.
Born in the Blues capitol of the world "Chicago", her vocal Background had it's beginning in Gospel Music. Jean is definitely a multi-talented Artist and audiences are overwhelmed by her powerful vocal delivery.
Throughout her career Shy has presented recordings and Live Shows which can be compared to the versatility and uniqueness of Legends Elvis Presley and Ray Charles, performing music from Rhythm & Blues/Soul to Pop, Jazz, Blues and Gospel. Regardless of the style of music she performs, the raw Blues in her voice can't be denied and is always in the forefront.
Jean Shy is akin to great Blues Artists such as Ray Charles, Etta James, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Van Morrison and Gary Moore. Whether Jean performs covers or own compositions, through her breathtaking, powerful voice, and her unique Interpretation, this strong voiced Entertainer brands every song with her very own trademark. The temperamentally charged Diva doesn't only transmit a spark, but let's a complete Fire leap over to the audience.
Mahalia Jackson was her first musical Idol. Elvis Presley inspired her to become a professional Entertainer in commercial Music. Jean was already receiving awards for her musical talents by the time she reached High School. At the age of twelve Jean was signed by Leonard and Phil Chess to the legendary Chess Label in Chicago. The release of her original composition “Spring Fever” recorded by Tim & Jean became a Regional Hit.
Just before leaving High School Jean was signed by Carl Davis for Brunswick Records. With various regional Record successes she toured as an Opening-Act in the "Chitlin Circuit" with Otis Leavill, Tyrone Davis, Barbara Acklin, The Chi-Lites, The O'Jays, Al Green, The Stylistics, Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield and Gene Chandler, gathering a tremendous amount of Stage Experience.
Releases with Playboy-, Honey-, Fantasy Records, and No 9 & No 13 Billboard Hits "Night Dancer", and "That Old Black Magic" produced by Bob Esty with Robert Stigwood's R.S.O. Records followed. Night Dancer also became one of the Soundtracks in the Movie Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair.
After her success in the US Jean branched out and went to Europe making Germany her second home in 1980. There she formed her own Band The Shy Guys with which she has been performing for thousands of Fans at major Festivals, Concert Halls and Churches throughout Europe for more than twenty Years.
Besides performing with her Shy Guys Jean joined an interesting project in 1994. She was invited to be the featured Singer for the Dutch formation T-Spoon, which prior had two Top 10 Hits. T-Spoon featuring Jean Shy landed a No. 5 Hit with the very jazzy oriented Euro-dance track Where R U Now, and with the remake of the Janis Joplin Song Mercedes Benz in an Euro reggae style, they made it to No. 7 in the Benelux. The Songs became a Hit in a splattering of other countries as well.
Jean Shy is a brilliant, and "one of a kind" Artist. A critique once described Jean's performance as follows: Jean Shy has the conciseness of a Tina Turner, the vivid Northern-Soul feeling of a Van Morrison, the expressiveness of an Etta James and she convinces above all with one thing "honesty".
Latest News:
The Blues Foundation nominates Jean Shy for the 2009 Blues Music Awards in the category of "Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year." The nomination was given in conjunction with her newest Jean Shy & The Shy Guys Soul Blues CD release entitled "The Blues Got Soul."
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