Denise La Grassa

Sundown Rising

Deelagee Records

When Denise LaGrassa was only a spunky child, she went door-to-door selling her poem-like songs for 25 cents apiece and it foreshadowed a full-time music career. She began her full-time songwriting and performance career following the closing of the 157-year-old private school where she led and revitalized the music program. She called it her ‘North of 40’ (years old) dream of returning to Europe to perform with her new blues band.

“Sundown Rising” is the follow-up to LaGrassa’s 2023 rockin’ blues album “The Flame” which was her debut recording. That first effort garnered La Grassa a Top-25 spot on the Roots Music Report Contemporary Blues Chart; with the song “Better Day’s Coming” sky-rocketing into the Top-10 single chart.

The 29 minute “Sundown Rising” was recorded at the Narwhal Studios in Chicago. All of the Lyrics were written by La Grassa, while the music includes four originals from La Grassa and, four from her and guitarist John Kregor. The opening title track is a nod to historical ‘sundown towns’ where the poor and marginalized, disproportionally people of color, are still cast aside in a country of abundance. Pierre Lacocque, the extraordinary harmonica player from Mississippi Heat guests. La Grassa not only sings but also plays organ.

“None of Your Business”, a swipe at social media, features The Nunn Sisters (Aprelle Mitchel-Smith, Iris Nunn, Tecara Parker, and Dahlia Manns) on background vocals. On “Hope in Love” guitarist Stephen Ryan replaces Kregor, as the beautifully articulate La Grassa reminds us that love “Is what we live for/Is what we die for/Is what we give for”.

“Key to the Highway” is the classic written by “Big Bill” Broonzy and Charles Segar, and again features Ryan on guitar, and Lacocque on harmonica; “I’m gonna’ leave running cause walkin’ is much to slow”. On “Vision of Good Rule Makers” La Grassa criticizes politicians, with both guitarists and the great rhythm section of bassist Steven C. Manns, and drummer Mike Gee, laying down the strong foundation. “The Door” is a gorgeous ballad offering hope “get out and go wipe off the tears/ The clock is ticking fast in years/The door Is open today it’s time/Listen hard and keep on dreaming”.

“Quit Your Whining” is another topical song about living in a world of normalized mass shootings, with a violin solo from Anne Harris, and Andrew Ryan on guitar. The closer is the driving rhythmic blues “Loving For Love’s Sake” with the lyric “If you’re living in hell hate/You’re not loving for loves sake”.

La Grassa’s “Sundown Rising” preaches that love transcends all. Denise LaGrassa is a fabulous lyricist, organist, and singer as she mesmerizes us on this new album. Unfortunately it’s a little too short so she leaves us begging for more.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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