Ladies sing the moods…
Aubrey Johnson displays an effortless wide range of dynamics with her voice on these reflective and bohemian originals and covers. She’s supported by Chris Ziemba/p, Matt Aronoff/b, Jeremy Noller/dr, Michael Sachs/bcl-as, Tomoko Omura/vi and Vitor 
Goncalves/acc for a bluesy read of “Dindi” and displaying rich gymnastics during “Karate”. Soft and reflective moods permeate the session as she is reminiscent of a young Joni Mitchell on “No More ‘I Love You’s’” and the jazzy “Love Again”. Contemplative messages have her bring in a broad collection of colors on “Unraveled” and the poetic “Peacocks” with Sach’s bass clarinet. Laurel Canyon jazz nuances.
Vocalist and violinist Scarlet Rivera brings in jazz bassist Jimmy Haslip along with Tim Goodman/g-p-org, steve Ferrone/dr and other various guests for this mix of bluegrass, swamp and 70s grooves. On the six song ep, she delivers a raspy voice to the hoe-down mood of “Dust Bowl” and the traditional-toned “Sacred Wheel” while going down the dark dirt road on “Lady Liberty.” She spins a weary tale on “Songbird” and gets earthy on the stomping “All of Me”. A good night at the VFW.
Crystal Shawanda has a sassy growl with a kicking band of heavy horns and greasy grooves. She delivers a mean calypso on “Hey Love” and rocks the blues to a humming Hammond on “Move Me” and “Church House Blues”. Gospel harmonies are rich on “I Can’t Take It” and she bares her soul on “Bigger Than The Blues” while belting it out for a trudging chain gang of “New Orleans Is Sinking”. She’ll win the arm wrestling match, for sure!
Ruthie Foster packs a wallop as she belts it out with a hard hitting big band arranged by LA’s finest in John Beasley. She gives a field holler on the soulful “Brand New Day” and testifies on the gospel’d “Stone Love”. She shows moxie by taking on Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” and giving it a slow coal burn, while she greases up “Mack The Knife” and howls through it like a hyena. The saxes sear on the New Orleans-paced “Joy Comes Back” and she preaches to the church organ on “Woke Up This Morning”. A bright light shining through the stained g lass window of a Memphis church. WHEW!