Refined Sugar

Product Description

Sugar Pie is a true original and in a class all by herself. After her discovery by Johnny Otis, she recorded a hit for Oakland's Bob Geddins and later became a recording artist and songwriter for Chess Records, and she has been performing for over 50 years. She opened for and toured with James Brown in the '50s appearing at major venues. Her songs have been recorded by Sam and Dave, Little Milton, the Whispers and others. Featured on this album is "Blues Hall of Fame," a composition by Jimmy McCracklin. Except for "Git Back" and "Matter of Time", which did not receive national exposure, all of the tracks are new and spotlight her ability to do blues, funk and pop.

Amazon.com

It's hard to call this a comeback, since Sugar Pie DeSanto's been recording and performing since a few years before her first hit, 1959's "I Want to Know," but at the least Refined Sugar is a return to form. At age 70, this former Chess Records belter who helped define the sound of early rock is still a tiny skyrocket, illuminating traditional blues (Memphis Minnie's "One Black Rat"), dancefloor funk ("Git Back"), and zippy party numbers ("Somebody Scream") with a singing style that's kept most of its sandpaper-and-brass character. Some of these 14 tunes crumble under clichéd writing, but others give DeSanto's experienced phrasing a strong emotional framework. "Life Goes On" simmers with loss and regret, her vibrato accenting the weariness of failing at love. And "I Need to Live Again," a kind of sequel, rings with the promise of better times to come as a lonely guitar echoes the weary soul in DeSanto's voice. --Ted Drozdowski