Samantha Fish's new live album "Paper Doll (Live)
Samantha Fish’s live album “Paper Doll Live” is released by Rounder Records on Friday June 12th and is available to pre-order on vinyl, CD and digital here – https://ffm.to/sfpaperdolllive
Recorded at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, TN, Paper Doll Live, marks Fish’s first live album release. The 16-song track list features music from across her catalogue and fan-favourite covers all showcasing what makes Fish one of the most formidable guitarists of her generation.
Sam's band are Ron Johnson on bass, Mickey Finn on keys and Jamie Douglass on drums with harmony vocals on “I’m Done Running,” “Lose You,” “Sweet Southern Sounds,” “Better Be Lonely,” and “Don’t Say It” by the McCrary Sisters who were a special addition for this show and live recording.
Each play their part in being the base for Sam and allowing her to showcase her god given guitar talents and she is a world class vocalist too.
Starting the show with MC5's Kick Out The Jams is a superb with it's driven rhythm by Jamie and added depth from Mickey's keys getting right into the audience from the word go and Sam's guitar solo is a fiery shot of intent.
Next up is the title track of her latest studio album Paper Doll and it's stop start guitar riff blends well with the bands rock hard rhythm and Sam adds vocal held notes to the second chorus before her guitar solo goes from molten to picked notes in an instant.
The digital bonus track a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins I Put A Spell On You is spellbindingly fantastic both vocally and in her guitar playing. From picked notes and peaceful beginnings it showcases Sam's vocal talents and range perfectly.As her voice builds from melodic notes and as the mid song guitar solo approaches her voice raises the tone and she stretches out her vocal chords and the launches into a guitar solo full of poise and talent. Wonderful as she add libs vocally in the outro too.
I'm Done Running adds The McRary Sisters vocally with added depth in the choruses and the rolling guitar riff showcases Sam's excellence in the slide guitar department.
My favourite from the Paper Doll album is next with Sweet Southern Sound and again Sam shines vocally in the verses before being joined in the choruses by the backing vocalist's. Her extended guitar solo under her vocal add libs in the outro is superb with the band adding pace as she increases the tempo. Stunning..
The cigar box guitar is out next for Bullet Proof and it's picked slide riff intro explodes for the chorus with Ron on bass work perfectly audible in the mix and Sam then shows her mastery in her slide solo and love the way it goes straight back into the guitar riff seamlessly.
Miles To Go is a fast paced blues rocker with the band on fire and plenty of Mickey's keys audible and Jamie driving it ever faster.
Fortune Teller sees the pace ease with electric notes picked and a haunting Sam vocal before it increases at the chorus and then down again in the second verse and more Sam vocal held notes in the chorus. Then Jamie on drums kicks in and we are off to the races and Sam's guitar solo only adds to the momentum before a brilliant easing in the last chorus.
A cover of R L Burnside's Black Mattie sees Sam playing some blues and I love the band easing off to let Sam show her slide guitar talents before turning the volume back up.
Rusty Razor's huge guitar riff with added Mickey keys in the mix impresses before Black Wind Howlin' finishes the album in style with Sam replacating her vocal line on her guitar and the last guiatr solo leaves us all wanting more like all good live shows and albums should.
Paper Doll Live is a superb showcase of Sam and her fantastic band in the live setting and after seeing her earlier this year I cannot wait for her to return to the UK and this album can keep us warm until then.
Photo Credited to Phil Honley And Used With Thanks.
Photo Credited To Denis Carpentier And Used With Thanks.
Photo Credited To Simon Green And Used With Thanks.
