Ghalia Volt - Mississippi Blend

Size: 261 MB
Time: 42:22
File: Flac
Released: 2019
Styles: Rock, blues-rock
Art: Front

1. Gypsy Lady (3:58)
2. Meet You Down the Road (4:37)
3. Squeeze (3:23)
4. First Time I Died (3:32)
5. Lucky Number (3:32)
6. Wade in the Water (4:24)
7. Drag Me Down (3:38)
8. Shake & Repeat (4:11)
9. Release Me (4:40)
10. Why Don't You Sell Your Children (4:00)
11. I Thought I Told You Not to Tell Them (2:21)

The Belgian singer Ghalia Volt moved to the USA years ago to search for her blues roots. And as evidenced by this second album, released under the name Ghalia, that has been an excellent success. The album was recorded at the Zebra Ranch studio, owned by legendary producer Jim Dickinson and Ghalia is assisted on this album by Cody Dickinson (drums, known from The North Mississippi Allstars), Cedric Burnside (drums, yes, the son of), Lightnin' Malcolm (guitar, also known from The North Mississippi Allstars), Watermelon Slim (harmonica), Dean Zucchero (bass) and Smokehouse Brown (guitar). The sound on this album can be described as very unpolished. Blues in which you experience the roughness of, for example, R.L. Burnside can be found in the searing guitar work. And then Ghalia's singing... One moment she sounds seductive, the next moment bitter and fierce, but always bluesy!!! You can hear her in her seductive role in the quite sultry, almost swampy, Gypsy Lady, in which you can also hear the vicious cutting guitar work. The atmosphere remains sultry in Meet You Down The Road. A lazy blues shuffle with cutting and buzzing (slide) guitar and howling harmonica. And of course Ghalia's subdued and therefore seductive vocals. She sounds naughty in Squeeze. A hopping shuffle with a stiff, fuzzing guitar that produces both a loud screeching and piercing solo. Ghalia also goes on a “decorating tour” in Shake & Repeat. This song sounds like a very dirty version of “Shake Your Money Maker”. A sultry hard boogie with Ghalia as a true blues vamp. First Time I Died is a heavy funky blues rock song with a mean cutting sound and grim vocals from Ghalia. Lucky Number also has a funky drive. A loose, uptempo, grooving song with pumping harmonica and burning guitar work. Together with Lightnin' Malcolm, Ghalia sings a lazy cover of the gospel classic Wade In The Water. The sultry funky Release Me has an irresistible driving groove with yearning vocals and dirty bluesy guitar work. Why Don't You Sell Your Children is a Canned Heat-like boogie, lazy and tedious, which changes into a flaming tempo acceleration halfway through. Ghalia takes a fiercely rocking farewell in her own unique way with I Thought I Told You Not To Tell Them. So seductive but with an ever-present fierceness. With this more than excellent blues album, the name of Ghalia (Volt) seems to me to be definitively established in the blues scene!

Mississippi Blend FLAC

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Ghalia Volt - Shout Sister Shout

Size: 329 MB
Time: 48:14
File: Flac
Released: 2023
Styles: Rock, blues-rock
Art: Front

1. Every Cloud (3:32)
2. Changes (4:43)
3. Can't Afford To Die (4:07)
4. Insomnia (4:31)
5. Shout Sister Shout (4:33)
6. No Happy Home (3:54)
7. She's Holdin' You Back (3:48)
8. Can't Have It All (4:14)
9. Hell Is Not Gonna Deal With You (4:20)
10. Hop On A Ride (3:17)
11. Dog Ya Around (4:06)
12. Po' Boy John (3:04)

The album was recorded at the Rancho de la Luna studio by David Catching in the desert near Joshua Tree Park. “After all my travels, I was looking for a quiet, secluded place to record the CD. It is so quiet, a very unique atmosphere and it would have sounded different if it had been recorded somewhere else, especially because local top studio musicians participated. My previous albums are more based on country and traditional blues and now I have something more psychedelic, a bit of rock from the seventies." There are twelve songs on the album and a lyric booklet is included. They open rhythmically with 'Every Cloud' and that has a catchy beat, organ solo and beautiful voice changes. In 'Changes' the vocals are strongly reminiscent of the seventies singers, such as those of the B52's and with tearing guitar riffs and excellent guitar solos. Then it becomes uptempo rockabilly with suitably pointed guitar work in 'Can't afford to die' and excellent rhythm section work. Sitting still is not possible here! Acoustic dobro intro, beautiful vocals, slow, languid psychedelic sounds through the guitar sound characterize 'Insomnia'. The combination of music and voice is fantastic. Then follows the title track 'Shout sister shout' and the lyrics stand up for women's rights. Gospel choir and a wonderful lowndown rhythm with wah wah guitar complete it. 'Happy Home' is nice and up-tempo again with nice drum rhythms and here the slide guitar appears. Nice song. There is a wonderful shuffle in 'She's holdin' you back' with a lot of slide guitar playing. Intro with some distorting guitar playing and heavy rhythm playing give 'Can't have it all' a somewhat chaotic character, a slightly weaker song than the rest, but a nice groove. This is followed by the uptempo, rocking 'Hell is not gonna deal with you'. It has nice breaks, vicious vocals and a Ray Manzarek The Doors organ sound and rhythm. The cheerful 'Hop on a ride' was written with Eddy V. and is followed by 'Dog Ya around', which has a quiet beginning, slow groove and is wonderfully laidback. Very well sung with choirs and a screeching guitar solo. The album closes with the vibrant, cheerful rock and roll-like 'Po'boy John' with nice piano as it should be with rock and roll. Great ending to a great album Conclusion: Shout sister shout is not an everyday blues or blues rock album. It has its own style due to the variety and singing in the songs. Very different from her previous CD, but that is also Ghalia Volt's intention. Definitely worth a listen.

Shout Sister Shout FLAC

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Katie Henry, Will Jacobs, Ghalia Volt - Blues Caravan 2022 (Live)

Size: 183.2 MB
Time: 78:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Hop On A Ride (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt, Katie Henry & Will Jacobs) (3:49)
02. I Play The Blues For You (Live) (Feat. Will Jacobs) (6:57)
03. Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Live) (Feat. Will Jacobs) (9:40)
04. Funky Woman (Live) (Feat. Will Jacobs) (5:02)
05. Nothing To Lose (Live) (Feat. Katie Henry) (3:55)
06. Empty Cup (Live) (Feat. Katie Henry) (3:55)
07. Carry You (Live) (Feat. Katie Henry) (7:17)
08. Bury You (Live) (Feat. Katie Henry) (4:37)
09. Reap What You Sow (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (4:08)
10. Release Me (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (5:08)
11. Hoodoo Evil Man (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (3:35)
12. Squeeze (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (3:23)
13. Whole Lotta Shaking Going On (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (2:07)
14. Roll And Tumble Blues (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt, Katie Henry & Will Jacobs) (4:55)
15. Voodoo Woman (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt, Katie Henry & Will Jacobs) (4:05)
16. Fortunate Son (Live) (Feat. Ghalia Volt, Katie Henry & Will Jacobs) (5:36)

This legendary showcase tour is now 17 years old, but the concept remains unbeatable and therefore unchanged. Three up-and-coming talents from the most respected blues label in Europe. Three live sets that run the gamut of genres and emotions. And to top it off, a huge jam session where all the artists let loose together - and ask the audience to do the same.

On 09.03.2022, Katie Herny, Will Jacobs and Ghalia Volt did just that! At Café Hahn in Koblenz, these 3 outstanding artists made the audience shake. This CD & DVD immortalises this unique concert and lets the viewer and listener relive a great evening over and over again. Katie Henry is one of a kind. On stage she flits between vocal mike, piano and Gibson SG in a style that encompasses rock, roots, R&B, soul, funk and pop. You might be reminded of Bonnie Raitt for a moment. But it is her very own genuine charisma, her honest songwriting and the musician's impressive skills on two instruments that have earned her her reputation.

Will Jacobs a modern blues R&B/soul artist from Chicago, Illinois, USA. At 28 years old, he is best known for his powerful live performances. Whether he is playing clubs, festivals, performing with other world-class musicians, contesting sessions or composing, Will is always excited to share his passion for music with audiences.

Brussels-born Ghalia Volt has lived and toured in the US for many years and has embraced the original blues like few other European artists. The singer and guitarist first caused a stir as frontwoman of the New Orleans-based Mama's Boys; her 2019 album Mississippi Blend cemented her reputation as an exceptional talent. In early 2021, she released her album One Woman Band, which was recorded at the prestigious Royal Studios in Memphis. An album where she could prove her skills as a multi-instrumentalist.

Blues Caravan 2022 (Live) MP3
Blues Caravan 2022 (Live) FLAC

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Ghalia Volt - Jam In The Van: Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 2021

Size: 111 MB
Time: 17:50
File: FLAC
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues Rock, Slide Guitar Blues
Art: Front

01. Reap What You Sow (Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, Ca, 2021) (4:01)
02. I Can't Escape (Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, Ca, 2021) (5:10)
03. Espiritu Papago (Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, Ca, 2021) (4:54)
04. Loving Me Is A Full Time Job (Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, Ca, 2021) (3:44)

Never underestimate the power of a woman with her back to the wall. In March 2020, as Covid blew across the planet, the shutters came down on live venues and recordingstudios, and the music scenefellsuddenly silent,Ghalia Volt faced the same dilemma as every otherartist. What now?

The answer was One Woman Band.

For Volt, the rebirth as a solo performer wasn’t a decision made lightly. Since the early days, she’s been amusician who thrives on the buzz of the hook-up, surrounding herself with the best players and soaking uptheir vibe. Back in 2017, it was the Belgium-born songwriter’s taste forcollaboration that led her to New Orleans, for the meeting with local blues legends Mama’s Boys that became her smash-hit debut album, Let The Demons Out.

Two years later, it was that same spirit that lured Volt to the fabled hill country of Coldwater, Mississippi, to hold her own at second-album sessions with greats like Cody Dickinson, Cedric Burnside, Lightnin’ Malcolm and Watermelon Slim.

Jam In The Van: Live Session, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 2021

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Ghalia Volt - One Woman Band

Size: 98.6 MB
Time: 41:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Last Minute Packer (3:51)
02. Espiritu Papago (4:12)
03. Can't Escape (4:35)
04. Evil Thoughts (4:22)
05. Meet Me In My Dreams (4:14)
06. Reap What You Sow (3:45)
07. Loving Me Is A Full Time Job (4:09)
08. It Hurts Me Too (2:44)
09. It Ain't Bad (2:26)
10. Bad Apple (4:29)
11. Just One More Time (2:52)

The global pandemic has pushed most people out of their comfort zones and in the case of singer/guitarist Ghalia Volt’s One Woman Band, it’s a good thing. The album is a garage-y collection of tunes that rocks like something out of the 1950s.

The album title is literal. Volt handles vocals, guitar, and drums, all at the same time (although there are two tracks with bass from Dean Zucchero and Monster Mike Welch helps out with some guitar on “Evil Thoughts”). Volt began her career busking in Belgium, so she’s capable of performing alone, but this is the first time she’s recording as her own rhythm section. The beauty of the album is the freshness that comes from jumping into something new. Volt is a solid drummer, especially when you factor in that she’s belting out the vocals while handling the guitar, but it doesn’t sound the same as someone else playing. There are subtle tempo lags and shifts that inject tracks with excitement.

The energy comes from the boldness of Volt’s experiment. Drumming is hard for anyone. Drumming while accompanying yourself vocally and on guitar is next-level difficult. And then when you factor in it’s not her usual way of operating? It’s like watching a circus performer on a tightrope without a net. The tracks where the drums threaten to fall out of sync with the rest of the song are riveting, which sounds like a criticism, but is a strong, sincere compliment. Too many artists are afraid of imperfection and paint over the small blemishes, where Volt recognizes them as the true beauty of the track. No one listens to Robert Johnson for the production. It’s the songwriting, performance, and moment he’s locked into that grabs us.

And to clarify, Volt’s drumming is solid and professional. She just leaves in moments that many other artists would have re-done. In that sense, this sounds like a live album, where there’s no going back. For instance, on “Loving Me is a Full Time Job,” Volt starts with her voice and chorus-twinkling guitar, transitioning the song through a bluesy dirge, before kicking in her own drums, moving the track into a 50s bounce. But the drums hang back a bit, rather than propelling the song. It sounds punk rock and classic blues, all at the same time. Factor in Volt’s voice, which provides a lighter counterpoint, with its hint of a blues howl, and you have a song that works in several different time periods.

Volt is a strong songwriter, but her cover of “It Hurts Me Too” is special. Her electric guitar provides the song’s low-end until her slide comes in, mirroring the sadness of her vocals. And that’s all there is: electric guitar and voice making the song sound huge and complete. The beauty of the cover is how Volt locks into the spirit of previous versions, not rocking it, but simplifying the song all the way down to its essence. I’m a huge Elmore James fan and while he didn’t write it, he’s strongly associated with the song. I’m protective of anyone horning in on James’ territory, but this version passes my test.

Who knows if Volt would have come to this album under different circumstances? But I’m glad she did. It’s a bold move from an artist committed to getting her music out, even if it means becoming her own band. Eventually, Volt will be able to return to band-oriented recording but I hope she keeps the one-person band in her musical arsenal, at the very least for a few tracks per album. The Review: 8.5/10 ~Steven Ovadia

One Woman Band MP3
One Woman Band FLAC

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