Shari Puorto - Down the Road (2008)

Local vocals sensation Shari Puorto belts with full throttle and all-wheel drive on this latest program from her contemporary repertoire. For the powerful spirit in her voice and the heartfelt emotion that she lays down, she's been compared favorably to Janis Joplin and a few other notable heroes of modern music. Her band, The Rhythm Addicts, supply her with all the horsepower she needs, while several guests contribute favorable support for the album's 13 selections. Puorto's sur-fire confidence has grown out of her love for blues with feeling. Her songs beg the question and add suggestions about how to get things accomplished in life. Follow her advice and you'll get where you want to be. Guitarists, Alastair Greene and Johnny Lee Schell and pianist Barry Goldberg complement Puorto with fire and ice. She's balanced the album with hot blues-rock excitement as well as, laid-back, country blues. Down the Road; follows a comfortable path with spiritual values while, Treat Me Mean; rocks hard in pursuit of action. Free represents a modern anthem for today's generation of those who choose to blaze their own trail. The album's bonus track, Hurt So Bad, was recorded at an outdoor festival in Hermosa Beach where the blues has the same authority whether it's working day or night. Shari Puorto delivers her heartfelt message with fire in her eyes and honey in her voice. --Jim Santella, Southland Blues