Blues-rock veteran
Candye Kane returns with one of her stronger albums in recent memory. The basic premise of
Guitar'd and Feathered is simple enough: each track pairs the randy blues diva with a different guitarist. Guests include
Sue Foley, Junior Watson,
Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin (who also produces), and others, but rather than bend
Kane's outsized persona to fit each guitarist's style,
Kane and
Margolin keep her ragged-but-right vocals front and center throughout. Highlights include the rueful
Boz Scaggs-like pop-soul of "I'm My Own Worst Enemy," the
Wanda Jackson-inspired rockabilly howl of "Crazy Little Thing," and a surprisingly somber acoustic blues gospel protest tune called "Jesus and Mohammed" that's entirely unlike anything
Kane has ever done before and on which she recalls
Judy Henske's theatrical, almost cabaret-influenced style. Many of the lyrics touch on elements of
Kane's own life (based on the liner notes, it seems "I'm My Own Worst Enemy" was inspired by an online flame war) and her sexually aggressive persona, but it seems to be an older, wiser
Kane on display throughout
Guitar'd and Feathered, with an element of lovesickness that suits her. ~ Stewart Mason