CD REVIEW: Saffire The Uppity Blues Women… - Havin’ The Last Word
Alligator Records
Curiosity, yes, curiosity got the best of me. Jim had just handed me the flashy, sassy looking CD, Saffire the Uppity Blues Women. He gave me that “look” and said, “Jonnye, you like quirky, this is quirky. Give it a listen.” I researched the background of Saffire and then listened, listened and listened. “Havin’ The Last Word” is their ninth CD. Unfortunately, the title says it all. It will be their last after a twenty-five year run together as a female acoustic trio. Their journey took them from obscurity as a female, blues acoustic group to become a much acclaimed, world renown “witty and plain satisfying acoustic blues group on today’s scene.” People magazine proclaimed, “They are bawdy, roadhouse style blues with an acoustic twist.” Willie Dixon simply said, “They knock me out!”
The New York Times stated, “...post feminist, traditional blues, sung and played with gorgeous abandon.” Blues Bytes wrote, “Together they leave women’s footprints on modern blues history.” Yes, I was very curious!
I thought back to when I sat at the table in front of songstress, Gaye Adegobolola at the 2008 Blues FoundationAwards. Her table was tucked snugly behind mine. (Who would figure that I had had the better table?) Throughout the evening, I had slipped my chair over her toes many times. (We were packed into the Tunica Convention Hall like mackerel waiting for a fish fry.) I was amazed that this stunningly dressed woman with the striking looks was the subject of thrilled whispers… “That is Saffire.” Until she corrected me, I thought that her name was Saffire. After many hours, she strode to the stage that night to present a music award. The audience was riveted to her commanding presence on the stage. The group, Saffire the Uppity Blues Women, includes: Gaye Adegobolola, Andrea Faye and Ann Robson. They claim that they have had more fun than most and got paid to do exactly what they loved to do. They have often dubbed as the “torchbearers” for the original classic, uppity blues women: Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Victoria Spivey. Parting as friends and having much heartfelt respect for one another, they are pursuing other interests…family, personal endeavors, adventures, etc.
I was intrigued after listening to the first selection on the CD, “Goin’ down to the River.” It had a New Orleans twist with a rollicking beat and a Marcia Ball flavor. The selections that followed shared satirical takes on life’s struggles and realities. Their sassiness and forwardness were at times subtle, providing humorous insights to what situations had affected them. At other times, their bolder offerings were cultural and timely statements. I finally decided that they also reminded me of the performer, Candye Cane. Their voices are very different, unique and definitely interesting. When those wonderful voices blended together, the results were superb. Their instrumentation included: the guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, upright bass, fiddle, harmonica and piano. By the end of the CD, I felt that I had just sat through a performance in the French Quarter in New Orleans. After having listened to the CD, Havin’ the Last Word, and coupling that with their history, I have to agree with Downbeat Magazine’s assessment, “Their blues have the wit and irony of the Blues Divas of yesteryear with an updated twist.” I urge you to give this CD a listen. Before time runs out to see Saffire perform live, catch them at the Heritage Music Fest in Wheeling, West Virginia in August.
Post Note: Gay Adegobolola was a Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year nominee at the 2009 30th Anniversary Blues Foundation Awards.
~ Jonnye Weber
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