Search - Michelle Willson :: Tryin' to Make a Little Love

Tryin' to Make a Little Love
Michelle Willson
Tryin' to Make a Little Love
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, R&B
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

Having previously established herself as a jump-blues chanteuse, Willson mixes the jaunty fanfares and talk-song sass of her native New England blues scene with the greasy syncopation of a New Orleans rhythm section for a ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Michelle Willson
Title: Tryin' to Make a Little Love
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Bullseye Blues
Original Release Date: 1/12/1999
Release Date: 1/12/1999
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, R&B
Styles: Jump Blues, Swing Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 011661961029

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Having previously established herself as a jump-blues chanteuse, Willson mixes the jaunty fanfares and talk-song sass of her native New England blues scene with the greasy syncopation of a New Orleans rhythm section for a "Roomful of Meters" hybrid on her third Bullseye release. Her bright, brassy vocals lack the subtlety to explore the emotional crevices of midtempo ballads from ace tunesmiths like Dan Penn and Doc Pomus, but her clarion lower register transforms "Someday" (by David Hidalgo and Louie Perez of Los Lobos) into a riveting gospel torch song. Good-time renditions of hard-luck narratives remain Willson's forte, however: when she's telling tales like "Half Past the Blues" and "In the Driver's Seat," her blue-collar panache encompasses both the campy theatrics of Bette Midler and the soulful integrity of Bonnie Raitt. --Britt Robson

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CD Reviews

Wilson hits the bulls-eye with her leap into new territory
07/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"With her third CD, "Trying to Make a Little Love", Michelle Wilson certainly hasn't abandoned her title as a queen of jump-blues singing. Listen to the R&B-tinged "Bring It Home to Me" or to "Ay Las Bas" if you have any doubts. Check out "Each Day" and "Responsibility", where Wilson belts out the blues and really reminds me of Tracey Nelson from her "Mother Earth" recordings (which is a compliment of the highest order). But with this album, Wilson is on a mission to expand her repertoire and we can be happy with that. The slow-blues "Guess You Didn't Love Me Enough" and the Latin-jazz "Corazon de Hielo" are more than enough to justify her experiment. The CD was recorded in New Orleans and the Delta-based "Shifting Sand" is one fine performance. An exception is "Life Rolls On", a country, folk-like ballad, which is not Wilson's best genre. But the other 12 tracks more than make-up for one miss-hit. On this recording Ms. Wilson is backed by a top-notched combination of her regular keyboard and sax players (Dave Limina and Scott Shetler), and some quality session men (Cranston Clements on guitar and Charlie Miller on trumpet stand out among them). Limina shines on the title song and his tinkling of the keys contrasts well with the Michelle's earthy voice. On "I Would Rather Do Without It", listen for Shetler's sax. He is also the horn arranger for the entire recording. Let's hope there are more surprises from Michelle Wilson in the future. Her voice has the Midas touch, everything she sings turns to gold."
Do or do not... there is no try and so she did
paulinad | WI United States | 03/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you only own one blues CD, make it this one. I found it as a one off in a little CD store that lets you sample before you buy. It was right before lunch and my only thought was to find some food. All that was set aside when I put her CD in the player. The first song tantalized, the second whet my appetite, and the rest made me insatiable for her music. Passion, power, and talent are her base ingredients. She infuses each song with its own spicy blend; each unique and luscious. I listened to the entire CD in the store and didn't realize it until it was done. She made a lot of love with this CD. It made me forget my appetite. Buy it!"
Power & Passion, with a very unique and strong style
Steve Boyle (swboyle@mindspring.com | Wichita, Ks | 10/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife bought this CD for my birthday, and I thought who is Michelle Willson, never heard of her. Well just listening to her new CD one time made me an instant fan. I've never been a big fan of female blues artist, sure I have a few favorites but Michelle has moved to the top of the list. Her strong vocals, and stage show are something that no one should miss. You know she rocks the joint when all the waitress's are hopin and dancing all the way from the bar to the tables. A must see live show and a must listen to CD. Tryin' to make a little love, Ay La Bas, Each Day, Someday, just not a bad song on the CD."