KIMBERLY ALLISON
OLD, NEW, BORROWED AND BLUES
Starliner Music
www.kimberlyallison.com
I first came across Kimberly Allison playing lead guitar on a Zola Moon CD late
last year and remember being impressed by her guitar work, so I was more than
happy when I found out she had released her debut album. Based in California,
she has been playing at clubs and festivals since the age of sixteen and also
has a degree in jazz guitar from the University of Southern
California.
Old, New, Borrowed and Blues has ten tracks. Kimberly is strictly a guitarist
and the album features two guest vocalists, Morris Beeks who sings on I Want To
Park My Hot Rod co-written by Kimberly and Charles Thomas and No Woman, No Dog,
No Best Friend Blues also written by Charles Thomas.The
other vocalist is Mister Blues Leshun who has played with the likes of Jimmy
Reed, Big Mama Thornton and Rufus Thomas to name a few. Mister Blues only sings
on the three covers that appear on the album, Open House At My House, Next Time
You See Me and Just Got To Know.
The remaining five tracks are all original instrumentals by Kimberly Allison.
With obvious influences coming from Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan on
Turn Up The AC and I 35 South respectively, her talent as a blues guitarist
really shines through. Her interplay with the horn section on the jazz
influenced Four Down Jump and Portland Boogie is just electric.
With great chops and a clean tone Kimberly Allison is a master of the guitar.
Old, New, Borrowed and Blues is a top class debut album.
Eric Black
Blue Country 101FM