Ally Venable Heart of Fire
Heart of Fire
Ruf Records
The past year has left us needing music that is bold and uplifting and Heart of Fire is surely that.
From the first sizzling notes of Venable’s guitar, you know you are hearing a guitarist skilled enoughto equal her Texas heroes, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and raunchy enough to take on Led Zeppelin or other hard-rocking groups past and present. Just listen to the way she rips into the intro to “Heart of Fire,” letting you know upfront what you are in for. Then, with your soul on its feet, you are ready for the equally searng “Hard Change” and “Do It In Heels.”
Pay attention once you get past those riffs to the songwriting. This is an area c where Venable continues to grow as she enters her early twenties.
Not every song here is so rowdy. “Hateful Blues” is a blues stomp, while “Bring on the Pain,” on which Kenny Wayne Shepherd provides guitar, is a pure blues ballad. “Tribute to SRV” is of course blues-rock and for this one, she let’s her guitar do the talking.
Another special guest on this album is Devon Allman, who blends voices with Venable fir the contemplative, wistful “Road to Nowhere “
The only cover here is of Bill Withers’ Use Me,” given a fresh sound with congas and rubberband bass.
Heart Of Fire is a perfect listen for any time and just right for busting your pandemic blues! Keep your eyes and ears open for it!
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