SUE FOLEY

ICE QUEEN

2018-04-04

Canadian by birth but Texan by time in the saddle, singer/writer/guitar-slinger Sue Foley has forged an enviable career in the blues world since migrating to Austin at the age of 21 to record for the Antone’s label which released her Young Girl Blues way back in 1992. While already a prodigious talent by the age of 16 she hit Austin with a willingness to study and learn from the likes of Jimmie Vaughan and Billy F. Gibbons who both reward their sometimes student with appearances on this disc. As revealed by a listen to the title track Foley has adopted the “less is more” approach to guitar, letting tone and space do as much talking as the notes that she plays. Over the years Foley’s vocal talents have evolved as well. While her earlier efforts were sometimes marred by flat vocals she has harnessed the power of her voice and delivers her lyrics in a comfortable range suitable for the loose, easy groove of her tunes. Highlights include the funky lead track," Come To Me", the shuffle-heavy duet with Gibbons," Fools Gold", the horn-drenched (compliments of the Texas Horns) "If I Have Foresaken You", the high energy take on the Bessie Smith classic, "Send Me To the ‘lectric Chair" and the acoustic solo numbers "The Dance" and "Cannonball Blues" which give Foley a chance to put her talents front and center and reveal she belongs in the same league as better known artists such as Rory Block. Mark Smith

review by Mark

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