Yet another heartfelt tribute to the “pioneers of this great musical style,” this one’s successful enough on its own terms.  Combining studio and live material, Vancouver’s Dalannah Gail Bowen delivers a smoldering set that showcases a variety of styles, from the exuberant shuffle of her own “My Blues Keep Bringing Me Home” to a funky take on Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man,” with lyrics courtesy of Ms. Bowen herself.

Things kick off with the title track, an original slow blues with a somewhat jazzy arrangement that sets the stage for things to come. The background is busy – in addition to subtle soprano sax weaving in and out, there’s both a drummer and percussionist, and a rather large chorus on the outro.  The impression is ‘show blues,’ the kind that goes over better on festival stages than in dark and dingy clubs.  And that’s the story here – with unusual instrumentation (for blues) and densely layered support for Bowen’s excellent vocals, this one sounds like the soundtrack to a stage musical rather than a collection from a working band – even on the studio tracks. 

Live material includes the aforementioned “Watermelon Man,” a grinding “Born Under A Bad Sign,” a slightly-too-fast “U Kan Have My Husband” (her spelling!), and a latin-jazz-flavored “Unchain My Heart” that starts well but eventually descends into meaningless jam-band mush. 

Ending aside, though, it all sounds like it would be a great show, and Bowen is a fine vocalist, able to move effortlessly from caressing a line with sultry sensuality to testifying with gospel fervor within a single verse.  She exhibits remarkable control – one can almost see her working the crowd as she struts through the program, pouring her soul into every note.  Playing, too, is first rate throughout, though both the prevailing guitar tone and overworked percussion are matters of taste. 

Ultimately, though, Bowen and company try a little too hard to be all things to all people, with the results likeable enough but not really memorable beyond the drive home.