Release Date: March 8, 2024
Label: INGROOVES
Girl Friends is another winner, his most
recent release with an all-star cast. As you can see by the CD cover, all his
guests are the ladies accompanying him on twelve tracks of blues, rock, and
country-flavored tunes. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and Dion is in fine
form musically and vocally.
Track one begins "Soul Force," an excellent way to
kick off things with the fiery Susan Tedeschi. They both rock the house as Dion
sings, "Superpower stronger by the hour."
"I Aim to Please" with Danielle Nicole is a
country-inflected mover! This one has a great call answer from the duo and is a
real toe-tapper.
"Stop Drop and Roll" with Valerie Tyson features a
strumming acoustic guitar with lots of rhythm and harmonizing. It is a country
pop tune with banjo and excellent electric six-string licks. Some foot-stompin'
country, y'all!
"Do Ladies Get the Blues" with Christine Ohlman &
Debbie Davies asks the question. By all accounts, it is true. The ladies and
Dion bring it home to make you a believer as some stinging electric guitar
heats things to a boil and the bottom end cooks right along with it.
"An American Hero" with Carlene Carter is my favorite
track because of its meaning. Dion sings, "We need an American hero to
stand up for everyone." Never was there a time in our history was that
truer. Carlene Carter was a great choice with her voice, and they punctuated
every word, which gave me chills.
"Don't You Want a Man Like Me" with the soulful Rory
Block and some acoustic slide guitar to get those embers of passion burning.
The rhythm section is rock solid; hard rockin' blues burn the fuel as they sing
"Some Like It Hot."
"Sugar Daddy" with Christine Ohlman's breathy vocals
and steady rhythms merge for another rockin' blues workout. Acoustic and
electric guitars soar!
"Endless Highway" with Randi Fishenfeld features
exceptional bass, with the track deep in Americana roots and country twang.
Dion is in great form.
"I Got Wise," with Maggie Rose starting the vocals, is
the first on the album without Dion leading off. Dion comes in to answer her at
a slow and emotional pace—a very atmospheric track.
"Hey, Suzy" with Sue Foley is a kind of old-fashioned
love song. The duo combination is perfect, with Dion showing that he still has
some range in his vocals. The country and blues-varied guitar lines hit the
bullseye.
"Mama Said" with Shemekia Copeland is soulful, with
Shemekia singing "Listen boy"…as Dion responds. It was another strong
and well-rounded effort by the duo.
"Just Like That" with Joanne Shaw Taylor is a great
closer with smokin' hot guitar lines as they cross the finishing line with
conviction.
Girl Friends is an eclectic range of artists
providing music and vocals that keep it a satisfying listen from beginning to
end. The booklet accompanying the CD has an excellent write-up from Dion about
the "feminine genius" and how it has surrounded his life. Also, he
adds comments about each artist.
Dion proves once again that age has nothing to do with a great
musician and a singer's capabilities as long as you have the experience,
confidence, and belief in your craft. It is a solid release, and everyone
involved should be proud.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder
February 27, 2024
Tracks:
01. Soul Force with Susan Tedeschi
02. I Aim to Please with Danielle Nicole
03. Stop Drop and Roll with Valerie Tyson
04. Do Ladies Get the Blues with Christine Ohlman & Debbie Davies
05. An American Hero with Carlene Carter
06. Don't You Want a Man Like Me with Rory Block
07. Sugar Daddy with Christine Ohlman
08. Endless Highway with Randi Fishenfeld
09. I Got Wise with Maggie Rose
10. Hey Suzy with Sue Foley
11. Mama Said with Shemekia Copeland
12. Just Like That with Joanne Shaw Taylor
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