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MARIA AURIGEMA:
TAKE ME (SILVACITY RECORDS) - Maria Aurigema displays her
considerable talents on her auspicious debut 'Take Me'. If she
packs half the energy shown on this release as on her live performances, then she's going places-and quickly. Featuring a
grab bag of styles, the emphasis leans toward guitar-driven R&B
and Funk. Hailing from Buffalo, Maria consistently performs in
Southern Ontario (hamlets like Toronto, St. Catherines, Niagara
Falls, and Hamilton). Her backup are of the highest
rank, as Gary Kendall (bass),
Mike Fitzpatrick
(drummer), Pat Carey (saxes) and Michael
Fonfara (keyboards). |
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These guys
possess resumes as long as the Canada/US border. Maria has
a boastful and vibrant voice; for various Blues purposes it's
expressive and adroit. Her guitar chops are top notch too,
typified by cool riffs and astute note selection. Holding her
own with a world-class Blues guitarist like Jeff Healey,
as Maria does on three tracks, "Thinking About You", "Feels
Right", and "Love is Like", means crucial lessons
have been mastered. Aglow with a tomboy flair as blonde
tresses spill forth, a grinding Blues like "Miracle Man"
can turn any grown man into putty. This belle can shift gears
effortlessly too. "Thinking About You" is a rather
jazzy piece, blessed also by a terrific arrangement, while the
breezy title track also qualifies for the highlight reel: a
seductive rumba that'll lure types who normally don't check
out the Blues. "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean"
is the only cover (Ruth Brown) and Maria burns with
intensity. "Love Is Like" is like the Blues, only fully funkified and fortified by some especially notable axe solos
by Maria and Jeff respectively. Bet this one keeps dance
floors packed! There's no
doubting the identity of the gent
handling a second guitar solo on "Why, Oh Why?" It's
none other than
Larry
Goodhand: a grizzled bear of a man but quiet of
manner--except when doing his thing on the old six-strings. Larry Goodhand
owns one of those patently identifiable styles: flashy, dirty,
yet always tasty. Larry and Mike have a longstanding weekend
gig with the house band at Brantford's Liquid Lounge, and the
word is out that whenever Maria does a guest spot there,
the joint goes ballistic. Maria Aurigema has Blues
coursing throughout her DNA, no more evident so than on "Heartache
Blues", a torrid offering of whiskey-tinged angst.
Janis Joplin re-incarnated! 'Take Me' is more
than a title, it's also a very good suggestion. So take it up! MP3- Feels Right |
Homework |
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www.MariaAurigema.com |
