Sue Foley "Where the Action Is" 2002 Recording of the
Year “Where The Action Is”
Reviews
Sue Foley's seventh studio
album in a decade successfully follows on the heels of 2000's terrific
Love Comin' Down.
Less atmospheric and harder rocking, Foley
writes or co-writes all but three tracks, and proves herself as talented a
composer as singer and guitar slinger. There's a bit of a Sheryl Crow feel
to lots of this, but Foley stays locked in a blues vein, even on the more
melodic rockers like "Baby Where Are You," "Get Yourself Together," and
the mid-tempo title track. Colin Linden's hands-off production lets the
songs breath, and the singer sounds loose, relaxed, and in control
throughout, especially on ballads like the emotional "Let It Go." "Vertigo
Blues" wades into primitive and swampy Creedence waters, aided by the
album's only bass-less backing, featuring Linden on eerie, slithering
slide and Bryan Owings' dark, pounding drums. A lumbering stab at the
Stones' "Stupid Girl" sounds too self-conscious, but versions of Etta
James' sexy "Roll With Me Henry" and an acoustic version of the obscure
traditional Delta tune "Down the Big Road Blues" (best known from a
version by Mattie Delaney) prove that Foley can be simultaneously sensuous
and tough.
Veteran backing musicians like Wilco's Ken Coomer
and keyboardist Richard Bell never hog the spotlight, keeping the
attention on the songs and Foley's short but stinging leads. Although
she's not taking many chances, those who are already fans of the Canadian
blues-rocker will be thrilled to add this rugged release to their
collections, and newcomers can effectively begin theirs here. Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
Guitarist Sue Foley returns
with Where the Action Is, a confident collection of original material and
covers, like 2000's Love Comin' Down.
A highlight is "Two
Bluebirds," a slow, laconic paean to the effort that goes into love.
Foley's distinctive voice, which may not appeal to all tastes, is perfect
for this song; her drawn-out enunciation goes hand-in-glove with the
slower, hot-weather material. The cover of the Rolling Stones' "Stupid
Girl" is unsurprising, given that Foley's a Stones fan, but her
considerable guitar skills and distinctive voice work best with her own
material. In this case, that's mostly the country-inflected blues-rock
that is her forte, with occasional forays into classic rock and R&B
(her take on "Roll with Me, Henry" rolls along with the confidence born of
consummate skill). And, maybe just to show she can, she takes a stab at
traditional blues with "Down the Big Road Blues" and hits the mark dead
center. With Where the Action Is,
Foley continues to live up
to the potential that's been evident since her first album. Listening to
her has become an unmitigated pleasure. --Genevieve
Williams
While many of the other
contemporary female Blues artists in 2002 were making safe middle of the
road releases, leave it to Sue Foley and producer Colin Linden to push the
envelope.
Following her most balanced album on "Love Comin' Down", Foley delivers a driving guitar based project
which hasn't been heard by this lady since her early years on the Antone
label. The difference now is Foley is a very good singer and the songs are
much more varied.
On "Where The Action Is", Sue pays somewhat
of a homage to her heroes - The Rolling Stones. Think of "It's Only Rock
And Roll" with a little more edge minus the filler. The standout cut is
"Get Yourself Together" with its "Gimme Shelter" like guitar riffs. The
rest of the songs are Blues based Rock without the headache factor. With
her recent releases on the Shanachie label,
Foley is now
getting her just due as a W.C. Handy 2003 nominee for " Contemporary Blues
Female Artist Of The Year". "Where The Action Is" is a culmination of
talented musician coming of age. Posted by Anonymous,
on 2003-03-14
Bio
Sue Foley is considered one of
the finest blues/roots artists working today. She is internationally known
as one of the best and most original artists working in her field. She is
an accomplished guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Although only in her
thirties, she has been writing and playing for over twenty years. Sue is
about to release her tenth studio CD called “New Used Car” due out in
April 2006, which promises to take her even further down the road of an
already very successful career.
She has nine other CD’s out;
five from legendary Austin based blues label Antone’s, three on New York
independent Shanachie and the most recent live acoustic CD ‘Change’ on Ruf
Records from Germany and Justin Time in Canada. Also coming in spring 2006
is the live DVD “Sue Foley, Live in Germany” also on Ruf
Records.
Sue has spent over eighteen
years on the road as bandleader, lead guitar player and manager of her own
band. In addition to her own shows she has shared the stage and opened up
for star performers BB King, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, George Thorogood, Tom
Petty, Joe Cocker and many more.
In 2000 she was honored in her
home country with her first Juno Award (Canadian equivalent to the Grammy)
for Best Blues Album for her CD “Love Comin’ Down”. Since 1999 she has
received a record setting seventeen Maple Blues Awards and three Trophee
De Blues in France. Sue was also nominated for a prestigious W.C. Handy
Award for best contemporary female artist in 2002.
When Sue is not touring or
raising her son she is busy pursuing artistic and financial independence.
She started her own company, Guitar Woman Inc. and has plans to start her
own record label. But Sue’s largest project, her esteemed “Guitar Woman”
book is what takes most of her time and energy (see www.guitarwoman.com). Since 2001 Sue has been
writing and conducting interviews with the world’s finest female guitar
players. The book’s release, scheduled for 2007 promises to be the biggest
moment of Sue’s career. Along with the book plans are in the works for
“Guitar Woman” tours and a documentary.
With her tenth CD, a live DVD
and a book in the works, Sue is just beginning new chapter in her career,
and it promises to be the best one yet.
Awards
Juno Award - 2001 Best Blues
Album Maple Blues Awards 2004 Acoustic Act of the year, 2004 Recording
of the Year “Change”, 2004 Female Vocalist of the Year, 2002 SOCAN
songwriter of the year, 2002 Recording of the Year “Where The Action Is”,
2002 Electric Act Of the Year, 2002 Female Vocalist Of the Year, 2002
Entertainer of the Year, 2001 Guitarist Of The Year, 2001 Entertainer of
The Year, 2001 Female Vocalist of the Year, 2000 Guitarist of The Year,
2000 Recording of The Year “Love Comin’ Down”, 2000 Entertainer of The
Year, 2000 Female Vocalist of the Year, 2000 SOCAN songwriter of the
Year
Trophee de blues de
France
2003 Best Female Guitarist,
2001 Best Female Guitarist, 2000 Best female Guitarist
