L.A. Beat

If you like your blues with a  lot of jazz and organ, then you will love Dalannah Gail Bowen’s new CD “Them Menz.”
As expected, there are  a lot of songs about men and the women they wrong. Her smoky. jazz tinged voice is a blend of Rita Chiarelli and Suzie Vinnick, but very laid back. Throughout there is plenty of piano and lots of soulful vocals.
“I’m just a girl who sings the blues,” Bowen belts out on “Move Too Soon,” one of the many highlights on the CD which reflects the spirit of Janis Joplin.

 She slows things down on one of several powerfully crooned mellower tracks, on “You’re Not There.”
 She adds several big name musicians including Steve Dawson, who adds lead guitar on a couple of tracks. The Sojourners  sing on “Who’s Fooling Who,” an upbeat, toe-tapping highlight featuring some subtle slide guitar from Steve Dawson. They end the song in a bout of hysterical laughter.

“Just For Today,” is one of the more sultry jazzy tracks.

 She has some fun with the sultry “Mean Man,” which is reminiscent of Tina Turner, a soulful mid-tempo member powered by a slinking bass.
Michael Creber’s keyboards, both piano and Hammond organ make this CD sing as they are the perfect complement to Bowen’s smooth voice.

 She has a beautiful, dusky voice which shines on slower tracks like “Just Don’t Like The Deal,” which features a beautiful organ solo and sultry bass.
 She ends her CD with the well crafted ode to peace, “The Spirit Within,” which begins with First Native chanting and picks up the tempo with an up beat yet laid back jazz tinged blues groove.