Teeny Tucker

With a title like that and Tommy ("Hi-Heel Sneakers") Tucker as her father, you can presume Teeny Tucker is the genuine article. That's confirmed by her full-blooded vocal intro to opening track "Ain't That The Blues," and then by the rest of this, her fourth album. Ohio native Tucker is popular on the U.S. and European blues circuits, and her onstage energy is captured well here. Things mellow out a little on "John Cephas," a fitting tribute to that fine country bluesman, while the title cut is a stirring, gospel-inflected affirmation of her faith in the blues. Unlike many female blues singers, Tucker writes most of her material, with the music contributed by guitarist/producer Robert Hughes. B3 and backing vocals flesh out the sound on some songs, though a little more musical adventurousness wouldn't have gone amiss. The decision to cover the overexposed "I Got My Mojo Workin'" was unfortunate, but this has to be rated an impressive effort that'll appeal to old school blues fans.