Search - Mary Dukes & 32-20 Band :: Introducing the Divine Ms. Mary

"Introducing the Divine Ms. Mary" review

Kris Handel | NH | 11/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Introducing the Divine Ms. Mary" is one of the most surprising and most refreshing blues release of the year. Mary Dukes comes from Cal. and this is her debut release on South Side Records, with any luck we will be hearing some more new music from her in the near future. Mary is backed up by the 32-20 band which consists of guitarist Jerry Rosen, Organ player Deacon Jones, Bass player Oklahoma Ollie, drummer Johnnie Tucker, with guests Josh Trossman on harmonica for 4 songs, and South Side Slim on lead guitar for 4 songs. The backing by the musicians is suited just perfectly for Mary Dukes whose wonderful smokey, husky vocals enhance the music. It really sounds like she knows what she is singing about and you believe what she is saying, which rarely happens in most singers. Mary is not your ordinary female singer which makes her vocals that much more extraordinary, she may not have the power of someone like a Koko Taylor but few do. Mary's voice always comes off sounding sincere and heartfelt while changing from hurt, energetic, and painful depending on what the song calls for. Do yourself a favor and purchase this CD it is one not to be missed and one of the better on the year.
"The Divine Ms. Mary" opens up with "Money In My Pocket" a straight ahead blues shuffle with the band swinging in the background over the vocals of Dukes. This song has some very enjoyable lyrics that Mary gets over to the listener in a wonderful way. "Too Much To Drink" slows the tempo down for a slow burning blues that accntuates the power of Mary's heartfelt and painful vocals. There is some great guitar and organ playing on this song done by Jerry Rosen and Deacon Jones respectively. "Nobody's Clown" brings the pace up a little bit with the band giving great support to Mary's simmering vocals, while Deacon Jones cuts loose on Organ. The next 2 tracks "Worried Blues" and "Mississippi Mister" are spiced up by the harp work of Josh Trossman and unique sound of South Side Slim's guitar work. On "Worried Blues" the dirty tone of Slim's lead work works extremely well with the cleaner rhythm of Jerry Rosen's playing, while the rest of the band powers the song along.
"I Tried" and "You Go Your Way" also feature the work of Josh Trossman on harp who puts in a stellar performance on "I Tried". "I Wish You Would Have" slows the tempo down with plaintive vocals by Mary, and some Spanish styled lines from South Side Slim. "Justice" is a driving shuffle with some dirty guitar work by Slim that works extremely well within the song, Deacon Jones shines very bright on this track. The CD ends up with "One More Kiss" and "I'll Show You" 2 simmering slower blues that lead Mary's smokey voice along without any interference. This CD is full of classic straight forward blues, that hardly gets made any more, and it is really refreshing to finally hear this music. This is one CD not to be missed and it will be a shame for music lovers of all kinds not to have this in your collection."