Sandy Carroll

Memphis Rain

Coming out of Memphis is a good CD, Memphis Rain by Sandy Carroll, a throaty, Janis Joplin-style vocalist who is in fine voice. James Solberg, best known as guitarist for the late Luther Allison, produced and played guitar on this album, adding expressive guitar playing and up-front production touches that put a shine on the whole affair. Sandy started playing professionally at age 15 and continued working steadily in clubs during her undergraduate and graduate collegiate years. Turning full-time professional, she was on the road for 4 years where, she says, she earned "her doctorate in street music." This woman's voice is unforgettable, Southern to the hilt, with a roughness around the edges that convinces you that she knows what she's singing about. In true bluesmama tradition, Carroll mixes up metaphors about food, sex, and other domestic matters with wild abandon and a keen sense of humor.