Cyndi Lauper Gets The Blues

If someone had asked me “Guess who has released a blues album” we would be there a long time before I would come up with Cyndi Lauper, however, she has and somehow it seems to have turned out great.

In a year that has also seen Sandi Thom turn to the blues (click HERE for my post relating to her release) Lauper’s “Memphis Blues” has taken it to a new level and has topped the Billboard Blues Charts for several weeks.

Lauper announced via her official Twitter account in December 2009 that she would be recording a blues album. Sessions were held in March 2010 at Electrophonic Studios in Memphis, Tennessee with producer Scott Bomar, her frequent collaborator Bill Wittman and special guests B. B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Ann Peebles and Allen Toussaint.

It is obvious that much of the album’s success is due to the quality of musicians and guests who carry Cyndi deep into Memphis.

Highlights for me include her duet with Ann Peebles on Muddy Waters “Rollin’and Tumblin’”, BB King’s appearance on the album track ”Early In The Mornin’” though he doesn’t feature in the video below.

and her own composition “Just Your Fool” which features some great harmonica work by Charlie Musselwhite.

Less successful is her version of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad Blues”

Overall what impresses is her ability to pull off a great blues album whilst retaining her own sense of eccentricity and not trying to sound like a black blues mama.

“Rollin’ and Tumblin’” – Cyndi Lauper (with Ann Peebles)

To buy the music of Cyndi Lauper click HERE

Ma Rainey

“This album is dedicated to Ma Rainey, mother of the blues, thanks for her work and style, and to all the early blues artists who travelled through the cross roads, suitcase in hand, to Memphis. Their music and spirit can still be felt today….much respect”

Cyndi Lauper 2010