Buddy Guy once said, “If you don’t think you got the blues, just keep living”. For one lady, she had the blues while she battled a major illness. For EG Kight, she will “just keep living”. After recovering from a major illness and getting another turn, she is back singing the blues.
This “Georgia Songbird” and “Peach Pickin’ Mama” will release her newest album fittingly titled A New Day. EG has said, “Every day of my life now is a new day”. After listening to her new album, EG seems to be back on track, picking up where she left off with some well-written tracks. Having Paul Hornsby as co-producer, in addition to Randall Bramblett, Tommy Talton, and Greg Nagy gives A New Day a polished finish. Bottom line, EG is back. If you love the blues, you will love this album.
EG seems to reach deep down with feeling and emotion at the onset. It’s a number that is painted like a self-portrait, “Holdin’ On”. Knowing her recent past, EG seems to sing an anthem to herself. It deals with life’s ups and downs and getting a fresh start from her life threatening illness. Her words sound intrinsic as she sings, “When the sun came up and warmed my face, it felt so good to have another day.” “Still holdin’ on.” The way she emphasizes “still holdin’ on,” sounds as if she never will let go. With the worst behind her she sings, “Where I’ve been, I don’t want to go back.” It’s a personal story teller opener and is nicely done.
Moving into the album, EG continues holding on with her fever-pitched melody, “Comin’ Down With The Blues”. Here her worries, fears, and sorrows are love as you can feel the pain while she sings this bluesy number. EG gives this piece so much, almost wailing, “I get a fever… at the thought of losing you.” “Each time you hold me, my pain disappears.” “I get cold chills when you are near.” With much emotion, it’s like she is being forced to choose between pain and suffering, sounding more like an addiction than an affliction. Even as she ends the number, she sings as if she is already hurting from the anticipated pain. The guitar solo seems to add an aura, surrounding her with the fear and worry and what is to come. This song produces genuine feelings that many have encountered. Some will move on and some will not. Her last track deals with that subject manner.
While listening to the combination of hopelessness and faith in EG’s voice, she leads us in another number, “Don’t Give Up”. The intro has variety, making you wonder where the song is taking you. It starts with a simple guitar lead in, moves into somewhat of a rockabilly sound, then jumps into a foot- stomping gospel beat. Once again, it sounds as if she is singing from experience. “Soon your spirit will be soaring again.” “Don’t give up.” This track is well-written and is placed appropriately within the album. Regardless of the situation, this tune is a message of hope with an air of The Carter Family and Staple Singers singing as one.
The track that caught my attention was “Can’t Catch The Wind”. I loved this number. The intro has an Etta James sound to it. It’s pretty awesome where EG takes it up a step as she sings, “When you love someone, really love someone.” As EG continues to sing, she seems so spot on perfect for the song as it takes listeners places where they don’t care to go. “Can’t make somebody love you if they don’t have a love inside,” with another engaging line in the melody, “When you feel so close, yet so far apart.” The contradiction makes for some fine songwriting, with the similarity trying to catch the wind to making someone love you. This is the type of song that will stir many hearts.
EG ends the album with a finely-tuned number, “Time To Move On”. As the final track, it closes the album on a low note but leaves you hopeful. It is reminiscent of the “American Woman” intro achieving the proper mood as it glides into a flawless blues melody. Also, the piano/keyboard that was delayed coming into the song gives the piece a unique quality, adding fullness to the song musically. The guitar solo by Tommy Talton was also superb. EG’s songwriting is descriptive in her use of metaphorical images. Describing sleeping alone, she compares her bed to a tombstone, adding a cold chill to the song as she sings of moving on. This track is also a favorite of mine, especially when thinking of the title in itself. The song probably has little to do with EG personally, but the song title made me think of the album opener, giving significance hinting at her past illness. Is she “Holdin’ On”, or is it “Time To Move On”? It is possible “Time To Move On” is another metaphor as she moves on from her past, looking forward, and being stronger than ever.
EG Kight has an excellent album. She sings the blues effectively; the tracks are excellent with lyrical messages and good music from awesome musicians. If someone tried to give the album a theme, it probably would faith, hope, and love. EG fulfills this theme with musical perfection. While putting this album together she probably realized the greatest theme was love. Many know you have to have a love for something or someone in order to sing the blues. A deep love defines a great blues singer. Sometimes you have to feel the misery in order to sing the blues. Her illness reflects in the making of this album.
This is EG Kight and she passionately sings those blues with A New Day.