BRIGITTE DEMEYER: Savannah Road
Brigitte DeMeyer
Savannah Road
Brigitte DeMeyer Music
Brigitte DeMeyer oozes the South in both her singing and songs. Savannah Road is her sixth album, and I have been a fan since discovering her with her second. DeMeyer always surrounds herself with excellent players, like drummer (and producer of her previous three albums) Brady Blade, bass man Chris Donahue and guitarist and co-writer of 11 of the thirteen tracks here Will Kimbrough, all of whom she has recorded with before. Jimmy Wallace on keys and accordion and Guthrie Tripp on mandolin and electric guitar round out the core band for this mostly acoustic, bluesy set. This unit serves Brigitte admirably and gives her the freedom to sing her heart out.
After sharing producer credit with Blade last time out, Brigitte stepped up to produce this one all by herself. She has done a dandy job of it. The simpatico she has with her players is palpable.
But, as ever in the end, it comes down to the songs. And DeMeyer and Kimbrough have delivered really good material. DeMeyer’s “Savannah Road” was inspired by Gregg Allman’s autobiography; her gently jaunty “Say You Will Be Mine” feels like an invitation a guy would be crazy to turn down; and “Boy’s Got Soul” finds Brigitte brimming with joy for the boy who’s got her. “Please Believe Me” is a delicious slow blues. For “Conjure Woman,” Kimbrough wrote a lyric for a melody he and DeMeyer co-wrote, telling the tale of a woman consulting a witch for a love charm. Nice mysterioso here, as Ricky Davis adds a sweet slide guitar part. Brigitte wrote “Honey Hush” herself, and it is one sexy number.
Listening to Brigitte DeMeyer’s albums is always a pleasure. Her songs are always vivid and potent, her singing ever seductive. Savannah Road may be her best yet, but that may just be because she keeps getting better each time out. Savannah Road is one really sweet ride.
— Michael Tearson