Wait For Me

Susan Tedeschi

Tone-Cool Records
www.tonecool.com

Reviewed by James Middlefield

The third release from 32-year-old Susan Tedeschi and her second with Tone Cool/Artemis records. The street date was 11/19 and I heard the first cut, “Alone”, played on Seattle’s KMTT as early as the 11/10. It’s gaining airplay rapidly around the country on major market radio and in a timely fashion Susan will be appearing in Seattle December 14th at the Moore Theater.

Be proud of Susan’s efforts. Her first ‘label’ release, Just Won’t Burn (1998) sold over 500,000 and earned her a Grammy nomination. Her luscious voice and emotional delivery are the main draw to this attractive young woman. She can belt out a tune in a clear, soulful way that sounds both sensual and musical. Susan’s singing technique is engaging and expressive. She has a very distinctive way of wailing on the word “oh” which she overdoes a little throughout this CD. Some may fault her guitar playing but that isn’t her most important feature. When I have seen her live, her guitar playing makes her more interesting to watch and gives her a closer connection to the tune being performed. It’s good enough to enjoy without making any pretense.

Susan was originally packaged as a blues artist, but surely straddles many styles from blues, to soul, to rock, to folk, to pop with even a little jazzy blues. When you listen to this CD you need to leave your blues prejudice aside and enjoy her voice and the themes presented in these songs.

Susan wrote or shares the writing in six of the 11 songs on the album. Here is a brief song by song summary of the CD:

Alone – soulfull R&B love song with great horn section groove.

Gonna Move – could have been a country tune if not for Susan’s bluesy delivery, the B3 organ and Derek Trucks’ Allman styled guitar solo.

Wrapped in the Arms of Another – a poetic love song, perhaps to Derek, written by Susan, performed with piano accompaniment.

‘Til I Found You – R&B love song by Susan. You’ve got to envy Derek.

Wait for Me – slow blues reminiscent of ‘Bring It on Home to Me’ or ‘Send Me Someone to Love’.

The Feeling Music Brings – sort of a gospel blues with some great solo guitar work by Derek and a tasty call and response between Susan and Derek at the end.

In the Garden – this song has a ‘Little Wing’ feel to it but with a softer edge accented by violin. It’s slow and soulful and Susan delivers it well.

Hampmotized – a funky groove jam and a fun, novelty song dedicated to guitar player Colonel Bruce Hampton who plays the second solo on this jam.

Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – a nice delivery of a favorite Dylan tune.

I Fell in Love – rockin’ and rollin’ with a boogey keyboard groove and Chuck Berry guitar style. Susan really goes overboard wailing her “oh!”s on this one.

Blues on Holiday – Paul Rishel and Annie Raines back up Susan with this ballad showing the full breadth of her vocal range and talent.