Tracy Nelson - 'Victim of the Blues'

When veteran roots singer Tracy Nelson’s 100-year-old farm house caught fire, firefighters asked her which room should be saved. Nelson, naturally, chose her home studio. And fans should thank the fire department for saving what is one of the year’s best blues albums.

Determined to record an album that pays reverent homage to the Chicago/rural blues and vintage soul styles of her formative years, Nelson recruited a crack band anchored by guitarist Mike Henderson, Robert Cray keyboardist Jim Pugh and a gospel styled five-voice backing ensemble.

Nelson, who once fronted legendary San Francisco blues/roots group Mother Earth, selected choice songs by Ma Rainey, Percy Mayfield, Muddy Waters, Joe Tex and Jimmy Reed. With flawless rustic old-school musical backing, Nelson’s vocals soar with soul and power. With one tonsil in blues and the other in old-time gospel, Nelson’s voice has only gotten better with age.

Nelson’s heartfelt homage is a soul-stirring testimony to the power of the blues.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Tracks to download “Lead a Horse to Water,” “The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)”

Buy "Victim Of The Blues" (Link goes to Amazon.com)

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