Singer, choreographer, actor and educator, Marguerite Mariama, brings Ida Cox’s song into the limelight as the title track of her attractive new CD. Mariama’s vocal talents are amply backed by the piano of Jimmy Sigler and some burning guitar licks by Curtis Robinson. The title tune captures the listener’s attention from the start. The singer continues with a song titled "Home." This writer expected to hear the old Mildred Bailey hit from 1931 but that was not to be. This "Home" was penned by Charlie Smalls and was the finale of the 1978 production "The Wiz."
Marguerite Mariama throws in a few standards including "Young And Foolish," "You Don’t Know What Love Is," and Stevie Wonder’s "Knocks Me Off My Feet." Her reading of "You Don’t What Love Is" is a gem and brings back memories of great singers like Sarah Vaughan who really knew how to deliver a ballad. You won’t easily forget this version.
Another highlight is a new piece penned by pianist Jimmy Sigler. "I’ll Be So Glad" is well worth a second play. It’s a bluesy item that brings out the best in the well chosen jazz players and in the singer herself. It’s impressive!
Swing fans will enjoy the singer’s take on the Count Basie/Jimmy Rushing/Quincy Jones classic "Goin’ To Chicago." The backing musicians include pianist Eric Reed, sax man Chico Freeman, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Carl Allen. This track swings like a breakaway pendulum. It just won’t quit and Mariama delivers in high style.
Wild Women Never Get The Blues - Well Almost Never! gets a very high recommendation.
