Shari ’s Great New Album
Bruce Von Stiers
In my review of her last album, I said that she had a livelihood that if bottled, could be sold as a top notch energy drink. She still has that energy. She is possibly more energized this time out. Her name? Shari Puorto. She has just recorded and released a brand new album. This one has the title of Down The Road.
Shari fronts a band called The Rhythm Addicts. They play all over the place, primarily Southern California. The band plays blues and rock mixed together for a unique and thoroughly entertaining style. Shari’s vocals have been compared to such greats as Janis Joplin and I’m not the only reviewer to complement Shari on her energy level.
Shari had some very talented people on the album with her. Alastair Greene was on the album.. Aside from playing guitar, Alastair co-wrote some of the songs. The album had Louie Brossard on drums. Then there was David Abercrombie on bass.
There are several guest performers on the album. Barry Goldberg plays piano, clav and organ on the album. Barry also wrote songs for the album. Some of you might know Barry from the old days, touring with Bob Dylan and forming bands with Steve Miller and other rock greats. Barry also co-wrote the great Gladys Knght hit, Ive Got To Use My Imagination.
Johnny Lee Schell plays guitar on several of the songs. Rick Reed is on bass as is Rand Landas. Other guest performers include Joey Tellez and Gary Mallabar. Great backing vocals on one of the songs was provided by Vanessa Villalovos. Shari did the rest of the backing vocals herself. I need to stop here with the guest performers or you will get a half page of just the great help on the album. I apologize to those performers I didn’t list.
Right out of the gate Shari blasts through with a rollicking blues tune called When I Met You. A toe-tapping, hip-swaying finger snapping tune, this was a great way to begin the album.
Rial Gallager sneaks in some tough sax on a too cool rocking blues song titled Mr. B.A.D.
Treat Me Mean has a touch or two of Southern Rock mixed in with some funky blues. You will be tapping toes, swinging hips and yelling for more by the time the song is done.
Digging down deep into the blues bag, Shari gives a slow bluesy rock performance worthy of Elvin Bishop in This Ain’t That Kind of Love Song.
The title track Down The Road starts slow and moves through almost like a love lament from a girl group in the ‘60’s. Then the song moves into a more toe-tapping blues / country mode.
What’s It Gonna Take has a styling not too unlike a Linda Rondstadt song from back in the day.
Actions has some tough Southern Rock guitar in its intro. The song has more of a Rossington Collins kind of feel.
Call Me When You’re Ready gets back to the heart of the blues with aching vocals and slow and steady piano.
You could almost imagine Sheri in a dress standing before an audience in a smoky jazz club with the sultry vocals she cranks out for My Baby Likes It. There is a really tough guitar bridge in the song as well.
The Way You Move brings forth a chorus worthy of the Blues Brothers.
Free is more of a country flavored song.
Bluesy rock in the style of George Thorogood is the foundation for a great song called Outta My Mind.
Aching guitar brings a tight background for smooth yet endearing vocals by Shari in I Thought I Knew (You Were The One).
The album ends with a live track Shari and the band did at the Hermosa Beach Festival back in 2006. It is a scorching rocking blues tune called Hurts So Bad. Listening to this song, you will completely understand why Shari is sometimes compared to Janis Joplin.
Shari Puorto has a killer voice and an intense energy that shows vividly through her music. To miss out on Shari’s music is to miss out on the next great rock – blues performer. With comparisons to Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge and other rock and blues performers, Shari Puorto is sure to go far. The energy that I heard on Why Is The Grass Is Always Greener has been amplified on this latest album, Down The Road.
Down The Road is being sold online through CDBaby and other venues. It is also available at selected traditional music retailers.
To find out more about the album, and Shari Puorto, visit www.BluesRockMusic.com
© 2008 Bruce E Von Stiers