Tracy Nelson - In The Here And Now (1993)

Tracy Nelson, who's toured with Marcia Bell and Irma Thomas, approaches the blues with authority and barely contains her euphoria on this strong "comeback" album of 1993--her first effort in 13 years. The former Mother Earth singer has a keen ear for flattering material and she makes the most of interpretative opportunities presented in the lyrics of durable old tunes and resplendent new ones. Her big voice sweeps through Elmore James's "It Hurts Me Too" and delivers Willie Dixon's "Whatever I Am" with a sassy bravura that Koko Taylor would appreciate. And she phrases with surety on "Living the Blues," a shuffle co-written with top Nashville scribe Gary Nicholson. Irma Thomas joins Nelson for a memorable rendition of the Percy Mayfield standard, "Please Send Me Someone to Love." Accompanists like ex-Stevie Ray Vaughan keyboardist Reese Wynans and guitarist Mike Henderson make sure they're heard, but never get in Nelson's way. --Frank-John Hadley