Alberta Adams
Detroit Is My Home
Eastlawn ELD-017
Alberta Adams, a local treasure in Detroit, deserves recognition beyond her hometown. This grand lady of distinction did not become a blues empress overnight. In a laborious and ambitious career, that began as a dancer in the late ’40s and spans seven decades, Ms. Adams has sung with everybody who's anybody including: Big Joe Turner; LaVern Baker; Louis Jordan and Duke Ellington. Her solo career didn’t get off the ground until the ’90s, when she recorded two albums for the now defunct Cannonball Records.
The songs on all of her five CDs tend to sound similar as well as familiar. One reason for this is she tends to record songs that are part of her live regular repertoire. If you’ve had the privilege of seeing her live, as I have, you are bound to recognize some songs. She loves singing about no good men who have left her. Although you’ll mainly hear big band, swing and ballroom music on this her 3rd disc for Eastlawn, the blues influence and lifestyle is present on each of the 12 songs. Adams penned three of the songs. The others were either written or selected specifically for her. The track listing on the CD’s back cover doesn’t list the songs in the correct order of performance. However, a proper listing can be found inside the liner where RJ Spangler (drummer, producer and manager) explains each song.
Commonly known as Detroit’s ‘Queen of the blues,’ Adams is very proud of who she is and where she lives. Listen as she unashamedly sings, “No matter how far I roam, Detroit is my home” on the title track. Here, Keith Kaminski’s saxophone is impressive. Exquisite drum brushes, piano and trumpet emphasize the unpleasantness described in the lyrics on “I’m Worried.” Piano reigns supreme thanks to three brilliant pianists Mark Braun aka Mr. B, Al Hill (from the Bettye LeVette Band) and special guest Ann Rabson of Saffire fame. It’s especially rollicking on “Keep On Keepin’ On,” where Mr. B barrelhouses an image of an urban, prohibition-era, juke joint. There is a bonus live track – “Just A Little Bit” – that begins at the conclusion of “Hopin’ It Will Be Alright,” but you won’t find it listed anywhere. It’s actually another staple song from her live show.
Adams seems very comfortable performing with these inspiring musicians from the Detroit area. She has performed with many of them in the past. Fellow Detroit blues woman CeCe Collins joins Adams on Lucille Bogan’s “Struttin’ My Stuff,” and the two have a great time bantering with each other. Collins as well as the delightful Thornetta Davis add their vocals to the medley of “I’m On The Move/Every Day,” which is another song from Adams’ live show.
If this is the first time you’ve ever listened to Adams, you are in for a treat. It is like discovering your grandparents’ old 78-rpm records, finding a phonograph player to play them on and being floored by their music of a long-lost-era. Detroit Is My Home isn’t as raucous as her previous releases, but it shows Adams’ vocals and attitude are as feisty as ever. In fact, for someone who is well into their 80s in age, they are both quite remarkable.
- Tim Holek -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 2009
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