Can an old Blues guy like me be impressed with the new generation of Blues artists? Damn right I can! After seeing, hearing and meeting Roxanne Potvin at her showcase at the Silver Dollar Room on Saturday March 13, I’m in awe of her talent and professionalism. At the young age of twenty-one, Roxanne can sing and pick on her guitar with the best of those that have been on the scene much longer than her youthful years. Roxanne’s debut CD “Careless Loving”, on the Careless Records label, conveys exactly the same feeling that she puts into her live shows. Her recording not only hi-lites her vocals, guitar playing, but her gift for writing meaningful lyrics as she has penned six of the ten tunes on the album.  The record kicks off with the rockin’ 1955 R&B classic, a Buddy and Ella Johnson song, “I Don’t Want Nobody (To Have My Love But You)” complete with the full horn lines. Roxanne’s Blues comes out in her song “Make Me Yours” with back up harmonica by Frank Scanga. More horns and Roxanne’s strong singing and guitar hits the Blues nerve in her ‘have to let you go’ lyrics of “Ain’t It A Shame”. “If I Can’t Have You” first done by Etta James and Harvey Fuqua in 1960 shines as much as the original release with Roxanne and Frank sharing the vocals.

The title track “ Careless Loving” is a slow ballad that really has a country feel with beautiful lyrics from Roxanne. More horn led R&B is next in line as she does an incredible version of Ruth Brown’s 1953 hit “Wild Wild Young Men”. The CD finishes with another timeless tune by Dinah Washington, the 1947 risqué “Long John Blues”. In reality, I can’t do justice in writin’ about Roxanne’s live show or talkin’ about her new CD except that both of them are totally worth checkin’ out. All you need to know is that even an old grease ball like me can still be turned on by great performances and inspiring music. What can I say in finishing this review? Roxanne is a Gal-a-rockin’, she has it all!   Eddy B  (above photo by Eddy B)