Sonny Hess Band - All Aces

I love to write music, sing and especially play the guitar. Getting to do this everyday of my life makes me feel so fortunate. And having folks listen, appreciate and respond is the best part. But every once in a while (if we're lucky), something special comes along that makes us proud and happy, knowing all our hard work is paying off, the stars are aligned and all is right with the world. This band - and the album we are about to release, says it all for me. CD Review from president of the Cascade Blues Association Sonny Hess Band - Princeangel Records Even though they may call her Sonny "Smokin'" Hess, that does not mean there are any smoking mirrors involved with her music. But there is plenty of magic. This is Sonny's first release taking the lead position in front of the band for a complete project and she draws extensively from her life's experiences. Be they ups or downs. It brings about a very personal and often quite emotional compilation of tunes. Just about every number is straight from Sonny's own pen, showing complexity and a knack for some catchy and funky songwriting. Of the twelve offerings, I would have to say my personal favorites include the Stax-like feel and nice opening saxophone from Kevin LaBaron on "Got-ta Win It" with Lisa Mann's back-up vocals making it jump; the traditional blues sound and double entendres of "Freight Train"; and "I'm Not Leavin' You" that sounds like a song from Heart in their heyday ("I'm not leavin' you, I'm already gone"). "It's All My Fault" showcases the match made in Heaven that Sonny has always had when paired with Lisa Mann. It's a break-up song, stating that the thrill is gone, but "it's not my fault that you're blue, I just tried to love you the best I could." Perhaps the finest song on the disc is "Lie Myself." It faces the hard reality of living with cancer and how to deal with it in your personal emotions. Sometimes having to lie to yourself just to get to sleep at night. "Lie Myself" is also the most heart-wrenching number on All Aces because of this very reason. "Want to feel something else / Be someone else / Someone take this pain away." It just does not get any more open than that. Sonny's band is in prime form, with Jim Hively's bass and Kelly Pierce's drums laying down some great grooves, and Kevin LaBaron really lays out some funky sax work, all complimenting Sonny's tasty guitar. Guest Jimi Lund also delivers nice guitar on the song "Fate" and the Freddie King classic "Pack It Up." Sonny Hess has had more than her share of trials and tribulations over the past few years. If the notion that you have to live the blues in order to play them holds true, then All Aces follows suit. No wild cards thrown into this mix. Sonny delivers a winning hand. Read 'em and weep, All Aces, baby!

1) Pack It Up
2) I'm Not Leavin' You
3) Leave Home
4) Better Be All She Needs
5) Fate
6) Lie Myself
7) Got-Ta Win It
8) Freight Train
9) No Fear
10) It's All My Fault
11) The Red Light Song
12) It's All My Fault (Explicit)