Elise LeGrow, Playing Chess Review

Elise LeGrow is a Canadian vocalist and songwriter that was offered a publishing deal from Sony/ATV Music Publishing following her live performance at the 2009 NXNE music festival in Toronto. Her debut album is a full-length concept album of Chess Records covers titled, Playing Chess. Produced by Steve Greenberg, Michael Mangini and Betty Wright with guest appearances by: Questlove, Captain Kirk Douglas as well as The Dap Kings, the album is a wonderfully contemporary look at classic tunes and the artists that made them famous. Chess Records was created in Chicago by Phil and Leonard Chess in the 1950s, it became the label that launched Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. LeGrow tackles tracks from the label’s catalog made famous by Chuck Berry, Etta James, Sugar Pie DeSanto, The Moonglows and more. The collection of eleven completely re-arranged songs from the fertile soul period features LeGrow’s wide vocal range, that is full of blues/soul stylings and robust in warmth and charisma. With a nice balance of well-known and obscure soul songs, this strong vocalist will introduce you to soul you may have never heard and open your ears to the possibilities of the one you have! That’s the short of it!