Regina Bonelli, Didn’t I Review

Regina Bonelli is an Italian blues singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer based in New York. Bonelli has been growing her reputation through a substantial catalog of material. Her latest album, Love Letter, is nine-tracks that include her originals, the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” and other tunes. The album has been hitting the blues charts since its release. Bonelli has been inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. Her music is a mix of blues, R&B, and soul. She has worked with The Temptations, Bobby Rush, Ronnie Earl, Popa Chubby, Martha Reeves, and Paul Simon. Bonelli is now bringing her modern blues sound to a new single titled, “Didn’t I” that is also accompanied by a brand-new video. The release date is set for September 16, 2020.

Bottom Line: Bonelli makes a re-imagined arrangement of the ’70s soul classic, “Didn’t I.” Joining Bonelli is The True Groove All-Stars and is produced by Tomas Doncker and James Dellatacoma for True Groove Records. Bonelli describes the emotion behind her performance, “Times are tough,” she notes, “everyone’s on edge. Between the pandemic, politics, and everything else, there’s a lot going on, and people are stressed. This song is just a nice, end of summer, relax and close your eyes for a minute groove. Not to forget it all, but a pause in the action; a little breather to help recalibrate the soul.” Opening with a mellow groove, a lyrical bass melody, and full vocal harmonies, “Didn’t I” is built to form a swirling sound of ’70s soul. The band is tight, the groove is deep, but Bonelli’s upper register singing is a little thin, and the held notes a little wavering in pitch. When combined with the backing vocals, it helps. Her energy and rhythmic approach are solid; we could have used a breakdown section or guitar solo to give the form a lift in interest too. Overall, Bonelli is still providing a hip mood for this classic song and ending the summer on a positive note. “Didn’t I” say that is the short of it!