Zora Young has long established herself as a talented blues singer, though she was a soul singer when she started her professional career. One can feel the energy throughout this session, which features blues legend Hubert Sumlin playing guitar on several tracks, plus veterans like pianist Barrelhouse Chuck, tenor saxophonist Sam Burckhardt, trumpeter Chuck Parrish, and trombonist Steve Horne. Young's big voice never lacks energy nor does she act like a diva, as she generously features her sidemen and even sits out four songs completely. Her boisterous "Bad Track Record" is a solid opener, with down-home piano and spirited horns, while her "Football Widow" is a humorous ditty that encourages her man to get himself off the couch and take his woman out on the town, with a tasty solo by Sumlin. Sumlin takes Young's place in the spotlight with his laid-back blues "You Said You Were Leaving," also adding an effective lead vocal. Two instrumentals penned by Burckhardt include the toe-tapping "Blues for Hubert" and the jump blues "Sunnyland." To wrap this delightful session, Young and Sumlin co-composed "Looka Here Baby," performing it as a duet. Highly recommended.
© Ken Dryden /TiVo