Kim Lembo - Ready To Ride (1998)

Kim Lembo is a real-deal blues-beltin' house mama, and her third full-length album for Blue Wave finds her in top form. Although she writes and contributes "Sunday Morning" to the ten songs collected here, Ms. Lembo's strong suit is interpreting, and her pick of the litter on this outing includes takes on Otis Rush's "Keep On Lovin' Me Baby" (originally issued on her Steamers promo sampler), Keith Sykes' "Love to Ride," Tampa Red's "Love Crazy," a medley of "It's Love Baby" and Son Seals' "Four Full Seasons of Love," and Tom Cosgrove's "Outside Love." As usual, there's loads of top-notch playing aboard from her band Blue Heat, featuring Mark Doyle on guitar, with guest shots along the way from Scott Ebner on organ, Paul "Big Daddy" LaRonde on bass, Mark Tiffault on drums, Pete McMahon on harp and Kim Simmonds on dobro. Stellar versions of "Stop," "Mean Old Daddy," "Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City" and a tribute to the late Lester Butler in his "Goin' to the Church" complete this top-notch session. (Review by Cub Koda)