Sass Jordan - Rats

Sass Jordan never sounded more focused, confident and inspired than she does on Rats, which is undeniably her finest album. Some of Jordan's '80s efforts didn't fully illustrate just how compelling a singer she can be, but that's no problem on Rats. This CD finds the whiskey-voiced Canadian doing what she does best: tough, gritty, no-nonsense rock & roll with soul/R&B overtones and a heavy dose of blues feeling. Although Jordan is very much her own person, there's no denying the strong influence Tina Turner has had on her singing -- and Turner's influence serves Jordan impressively well on such gutsy, down-and-dirty offerings as "Ugly," "Damaged" and "Pissin' Down." If fact, this is the sort of rockin' album one wishes Turner would have recorded in 1994 (which isn't to say that the slick, glossy pop/rock and pop/R&B Turner provided in the 1990s wasn't enjoyable). With Jordan, Steve Salas and Nick Didia handling the production and studio ace Michael Wagener doing most of the mixing, all of the pieces fit together perfectly on Rats. This album was definitely Jordan's crowning achievement. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allen Kamai Bass Brian Tichy Drums Carmine Rojas Bass Caroline Greyshock Photography Colin Bogart Engineer George Clinton Talking, Introduction, Vocals (Background) Grant Conway Engineer Ian Moore Slide Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background) Jamie Wood Harmonica Jeanne Bradshaw Art Direction, Design, Cover Design Jim Albert Engineer Jimmie Wood Harmonica Johan Langlie Orchestra Strings Johann Langlie String Arrangements John X. Engineer Karen Dusenberry Clothing/Wardrobe Kevin Smith Engineer Larry Gloege Illustrations Liz Sroka Mixing Assistant, Assistant Matthew Ellard Engineer Michael Gibson Engineer Michael Page Bass Michael Wagener Mixing Nick DiDia String Arrangements, Engineer, Producer, Mixing Pat Dorn Coordination Paul Foley Engineer Randy Nicklaus A&R Rei Atsumi Organ (Hammond), Mellotron, Piano Rich Novak Engineer Richie Kotzen Vocals (Background) Rolly Ladd Engineer Ross Hogarth Engineer Sass Jordan Bass, Vocals (Background), Producer Stephen Marcussen Mastering Stevie Salas Guitar (Electric), Guitar, String Arrangements, Mixing, Producer, Vocals (Background), Bass Tal Bergman Percussion Terri Apanasewicz Hair Stylist, Make-Up, Clothing/Wardrobe Tom Peterson Bass Tom Petersson Bass Tony Reyes Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic) Uncle Jam Voices, Talking, Introduction Vince Ruby Vocals (Background) Wade Norton Engineer