BETH McKEE
Next To Nowhere
Swamp Girl 2

www.bethmckee.com
 

Mississippi native and former member of the New Orleans-based band Evangeline, singer-songwriter (and occasional keyboardist)Beth McKee’s latest album follows I’m That Way, her critically heralded 2010 tribute to Cajun legend Bobby Charles. Framed by the sounds of New Orleans, the blues, gospel and swamp pop (courtesy of folks like drummer Juan Perez, slide guitarist Tommy Malone and fiddler/mandolinist Jason Thomas among many others) McKee’s soulfully stirring, Bonnie Raitt-recalling vocals come across as both laid-back yet honeysuckle sincere on all eleven McKee originals. Picks include the particularly languid tale of “New Orleans To Jackson,” a head-shaking lament called “Shoulda Kept On Walkin’,” the Fats Domino-influenced, triplets-filled cautionary “Not Tonight, Josephine” and the easy- rolling “River Rush,” an atmospheric ode to nature’s healing powers. Also noted is a wryly philosophical “Same Dog’s Tail” and the heady swamp rocker “Return To Me.” Recommended.

— Gary von Tersch