Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes

Trial By Fire

Shakey Buddha Records

Sass collides with raw, Texas-style blues on this new album from the winner of The Connecticut Blues Society’s “Best Self-Produced” CD for 2024. Fran Drew leads the ensemble with powerhouse vocals. Whether she’s wailing through a scorching blues or taking it down to a slow burn, her vocals demand your attention. She’s got the kind of emotive voice that makes you feel every note.

Backing Fran are seasoned musicians including guitarists Gene Donaldson, and young gun Stephen Isherwood. Other guitarists utilized include Brandt Taylor, and rhythm guitarist Richiman. Others playing in support include Jeff Bousfield, keys; “Sax” Gordon Beadle and Matt Parker, saxophones; Rich Badowski, harmonica; and the strong foundation of Max “Ce la Vie,” bass; and Dennis Cotton, drums.

“Neighbor Neighbor” from Huey P. Meaux was a single sung by Jimmy Hughes in 1964, featuring “Sax” Gordon. “(I Feel Like) Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” written by Timothy Matthews and Al Jackson, Jr. was a hit single in 1972 for Ann Peebles, featuring guitarists Donaldson and Isherwood, and Bousfield on organ, as Drew sings, “Laying round home alone, on a rainy night like this…I got nowhere to turn to, tired of being alone, I feel like breaking up somebody’s  home.” “Flamin’ Maimie,” written by Penny aka Patti Page, Willie Dixon, Paul Whiteman, and Fred Rose and was recorded by Koko Taylor in 1985, on Alligator Records, again with the dynamic rhythm section.

“Roll With Me Henry,” aka “Dance With Me Henry,” written by Etta James, Hank Ballard, and Johnny Otis, was recorded by James in 1986. “Something You Got” from Chris Kenner was first recorded by him in 1961: “Something you got baby, makes me work all day, something you got makes me bring home my pay; something you got, you oughta know, my my, whoa whoa, I love you so.” “Fujiyama Mama” by Jack Hammer, aka Earl Solomon Burroughs, was recorded by Wanda Jackson in 1958. “Fugiyama mama, I’ve been to Nagasaki, Hiroshima too; the things I did to them, baby, I can do to you, Fujiyama Fugiyama, and when I start erupting no body gonna make me stop”, featured is Taylor on guitar.

“I Look Good in Bad” by Dayna Kurtz was recorded by him in 2017. “(That’s A) Pretty Good Love” from Fred Mendelsohn, and Buddy Lucas, was first recorded by Lucas but was also recorded by The Rides in 2013. “The Hunter” from Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Al Jackson, Jr., Booker T. Jones, and C. Wells, was recorded by Ike and Tina Turner in 1969. “Rock Me Baby” written by B.B. King and Joseph Bihara, is somehow credited to Curtis Jones, and Li’l Son Jackson, Badowski is featured on harmonica. “Rock me baby, rock me all night long, mmm, I said I want you to rock me baby, rock me all night long, I want you to rock me like my back ain’t got no bones”. Badowski also plays harp on both “You Can Have My Husband” written by Dorothy LaBostrie and sung by Irma Thomas in 1977 “but please don’t mess with my man”; and again on the closer “(Me and My) Chauffer Blues” by Memphis Minnie and first recorded by her in 1964.

Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes blend rock and blues with infectious grooves that’ll have you dancin’ all night. It’s a sound that’s equal parts raw power and musical mastery with enough swagger to keep your feet tapping and hips shaking long after the show is over. If you’re looking for a good time, this is highly recommended.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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