Full Review

Debbie Bond, Blues Without Borders Review

Debbie Bond is a blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer based in Tuscaloosa. Bond has performed with many blues royalty, from Johnny Shines to Eddie Kirkland, Little Jimmy Reed, Shar-Baby, Carroline Shines, and Willie King. Performing through rural Alabama and the Muscle Shoals in her youth, Bond eventually formed her own band. Immersion in the Alabama roots music scene has deeply colored her guitar playing, singing, and original songwriting. Her blues music has a contemporary and original sound, with soul, blues, and jazz influences. Bond’s collaboration with British-born keyboard and harmonica player “Radiator” Rick has added a swampy New Orleans edge to her sound. Bond is also a blues activist and founder of the award-winning Alabama Blues Project, a non-profit dedicated to promoting and preserving the state’s blues heritage. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a “Keeping the Blues Alive Award” from the Blues Foundation and a prestigious “Coming Up Taller Award” for her blues education work with the Alabama Blues Project. In addition, she has been recognized by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame as a “Blues Achiever” and the National Blues Hall of Fame as a “Great Blues Artist.” Bond is now releasing her album titled Blues Without Borders.

Bottom Line: Blues Without Borders is Bond’s finest project to date and is built upon her muscular vocal skills, commanding fretwork, and songwriting talents. The ten songs also benefit from her long-time associate Radiator Rick on keys, harp, and supporting vocals and drummer Micky Barker. “High Rider Blues” sets the tone with a standard blues form through which Radiator Rick blows some mean harp. The title track changes the mood and adds saxophone and percussion to round out the sound. The groove is pushed forward as the song progresses with an intense saxophone solo and funky wah-wah guitar. “Radiator” presents a more rock-blues sound with horns and backing vocals. “Winds of Change” has a familiar harmonic pattern and groove and is an excellent example of Bond’s songwriting skills that combines fresh ideas with common harmonic patterns and feels. Overall, Bond presents a solid blues offering that shows she is a commanding presence in the blues world and is deserving of even-wider recognition. That’s the short of it!