Sunny Crownover -- "Right Here Right Now"

Sunny Crownover's third release, Right Here Right Now, is her best to date. As on her previous two cds, this one is a collaboration with Duke Robillard and his band, but this time Sunny is singing from her roots--unlike the earlier cds they did together, "Introducing Sunny And Her Joy Boys" in 2009 and Duke's "Stomp! The Blues Tonight" and "Takes From The Tiki Lounge," this is a contemporary blues/roots and R&B outing. Enjoy the ride as Sunny is singing great on great songs, just like she has been doing for the past 15+ years, first in Dallas/Fort Worth Texas, then in Austin Texas and now in New England the last dozen years. 

Right Here Right Now was recorded by John Paul Gauthier at Lakewest Recording. The band was stellar, including Duke Robillard on guitar, Bruce Bears on keyboards, Brad Hallen on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, and a horn section that includes Doug Woolverton on trumpet, Mike Tucker on tenor sax, Doug James on baritone sax, and Billy Novick on clarinet. The fantastic Sugar Ray Norcia guests on harmonica.

The songs are all well-written by great songwriters to show off Sunny's vocal strengths. Five of the songs are by Gary Nicholson, one by Duke Robillard, one by Sandy Atkinson, one by Madeleine Hall, one by Brenda Burns, one by Joy Tiven and one by Al Basile.

I like this release. Highlights abound, including, of course, Duke Robillard's guitar playing throughout. I also like the Chicago blues of "Roll Me Daddy," the funky, rockin' "Cook In Your Kitchen," the horn-fueled cautionary tales "Warned" and "I Might Just Change My Mind," the old timey piano and clarinet on "Hi-Heels And Home Cookin'," and everything about the beautiful title track.

In his review for BLUES & RHYTHM (UK), Phil Wight got it exactly right: "If you are a fan of Sunny Crownover, or indeed Duke Robillard, you can't afford to let this album pass you by. A big thumbs up from this reviewer."

Every song here is radio-play worthy, and I hope that Sunny gets a lot of exposure from it. I'm already looking forward to her next cd!

You can buy this cd at  http://www.shiningstonerecords.com/artists_crownover.html