Sass Jordan

Rebel Moon Blues

Stony Plain Records

Sass Jordan is a Canadian rock singer who was first inspired by listening to The Band and songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”. Other musical influences included Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, David Bowie, and soul singer Al Green. Jordan’s debut recording was 1988’s “Tell Somebody” which contained four Canadian hit singles; and caused her to win a 1989 Juno Award. Her next album, 1992’s “Racine”, was released in the U.S. on MCA records; sold 450,000 units, and resulted in three more Canadian singles. Between 1988 and 2009 Jordan released seven albums. Jordan has worked with Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones and AC/DC and is currently on tour Internationally with “A Bowie Celebration”.

Overall Jordan has sold over a million records worldwide. This is her first blues recording. Jordan states “The Blues has been there through my entire career…it’s true. My singing is blues-inflected. My songs use blues-type licks. I didn’t do any of that on purpose. It isn’t contrived, It’s just me.”

Jordan charts herself a new course on “Rebel Moon Blues”. Including mostly covers, she celebrates blues standards from some of the older masters.  Jordan continues “I’m not reinventing the wheel…but this opens up a whole new world for me, and it’s one I belong in and feel at home in already!”

The Champagne Hookers include co-producer Jordan, lead and backing vocals; Chris Caddell, guitar, slide, dobro and vocals; Jimmy Reid, guitar and vocals; Derrick Brady, bass and vocals; and Cassius Periera, drums and vocals. Featured are guests Steve Marriner (front man for Monkeyjunk), harmonica and vocals; Jesse O’Brien, keyboards; and co-producer Hill Kourboutis a.k.a. D#.

Jordan opens with “Leaving Trunk” a.k.a. “Milk Cow Blues” written and first recorded by Sleepy John Estes in 1930; the song was further popularized when it was the lead track on Taj Mahal’s self-titled 1968 debut. Also included are Willie Dixon’s “My Babe” recorded by Little Walter in 1960; “Am I Wrong” from Keb’ Mo’ recorded in 1994; “One Way Out” co-written by Marshall Sehorn, Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson II and recorded by Sonny Boy in 1965; “Palace Of The King” written by Leon Russell, Don Nix, and Duck Dunn and first recorded by Freddie King in 1970; J.B. Hutto’s “Too Much Alcohol” recorded in 1966; and Gary Moore’s “Still Got The Blues” from 1990. Jordan also includes her own song “The Key” co-written with Kourkoutis.

Jordan’s whiskey soaked vocals are an intoxicating concoction. These covers are fabulous versions. I’d like to be the first to welcome Jordan to our blues loving family. She’s that good.

Richard Ludmerer