Betty Fox  https://www.bettyfox.net/

Slow Burn

Foxycavanagh Productions

Betty Fox is making a name for herself. Fox released her first album “Too Far Gone” in 2012. The Suncoast Blues Society sent her to the 2015 International Blues Challenge, held in Memphis, and she made it all the way to the finals. She has played festivals including the Springing The Blues Festival; the Daytona Blues Festival and the Panama City Blues Festival.

Fox recently released “Slow Burn” her sophomore effort. The band includes Fox, acoustic guitar and vocals; Kid Royal, guitar and backing vocals; Shawn Brown, keyboards; and the rhythm section of Barry Williams, bass; and Sam Farmer, drums.

Fox has written “Goodbye” and has also co-written ten more songs with various members of her band. She and her bassist Williams wrote “Sweet Memories”; the title track and “Solid Ground”. Fox collaborated with her drummer Farmer and Josh Nelms to write the the jazzy opener “Think About It” and “Baby Please”.  Other tunes were co-written with former band members and friends. “Please Come Home” is from Fox, Farmer and Matt Walker. “Take a Walk With Me” is from Fox, Farmer, Williams, and Walker; and Farmer is featured on the drums. Fox and Nelms contribute “Our Love”; “Let The Light Shine” and “Who’s Holdin?” On some of these Fox does some scat singing.

Included are two fabulous covers. “Remember Me” is from Otis Redding. It is also the title of a posthumous collection of previously unreleased Stax Records material recorded between 1963 and 1967. “Angel Flyin’ Too Close to The Ground” is from Willie Nelson. In 1981 this was a #1 selling hit Country single.

Williams and Farmer are in the pocket throughout the recording. Guitarist Royal takes some really nice solos. The band is excellent.

Fox has Doris Day looks and Janis Joplin like vocal phrasing. That’s some combination. Better check out Ms. Fox.

Richard Ludmerer