Search - Gina Sicilia :: Allow Me to Confess (Dig)

A POWER-HOUSE, PASSIONATE BLUES DEBUT

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 07/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five BIG Stars! Wow! Gina Sicilia is a 22 year old Philadelphia blues belter with a big beautiful voice and the songwriting talent to harness and focus it. With the sensibilities of an 'old soul', this young singer is BETTER than the early CD release buzz!! Originally inspired by the legendary Bobby "Blue" Bland, she has honed her blues skills to the point that she sings with a great deal of confidence, passion, fire, and feeling. She writes her brand of urban blues 'in the tradition' and her singing operates in the Bonnie Raitt area-code with a dash of Koko Taylor, but with her own unique sound. Backed by a powerful band with an authentic blues sound and great soloists, she sings heartfelt songs of love lost, love found, and love that's just hanging around ("You Set My Heart On Fire"). And she wrote eight of the eleven songs found here.



The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with the 'classic blues'-based "I' Ain't Crazy" with Gina on fire and with the band really rippin' it up. "Try Me", with Gina's totally believable plea and some great road-house tenor sax, is flat out wonderful music making. The two ballads show her vocal and 'genre' range with the country-influenced ballad "That Much Further" and a soul-influenced "Rest of My Days" displaying her control of dynamics. "There Lies A Better Day" is a down & dirty blues with some great, dense harmonica playing and a great guitar solo with a wonderful Bill Doggett "Honky Tonk" quote. "That's a Pretty Good Love", with it's arrangement alluding to an element of Ray Charles "Hit the Road, Jack", is a 'radio-ready' song that could be a hit single, as could several songs on this CD. "You Set My Heart On Fire" is pure smoldering desire: a magnificent laid-back blues. Gina Sicilia sings a distinctive brand of urban blues with rock and soul influences and I look forward to her next musical adventure. She is riding the crest of the new wave of "real deal" 'blues and roots' singers. HIghly Recommended. Five BLUESY Stars!!



(This review is based on an iTunes digital download.)"

Etta AND Ella here!!!

Bluee | Jerz | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To Gina,

Allow Me to Confess is an Incredible album. THE ABOVE REVIEW IS RIGHT ON!! The soul in your voice is like something you only hear from Etta or Ella. Keep up the great work- You are the future of this music! AMAZING ALBUM- *highly recommended*"