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REVIEWS

Skylar Rodgers—Firebreather—Independent

Skylar brings the emotion filled realities of previous tragedies
and strife in her past life (an abusive partner, the stillbirth of her
only child and a divorce that led to her being temporarily
homeless) to her music and performances. On the plus side,
growing up in and around some of Chicago’s tougher

neighbourhoods, Skylar realised, that faith and music generally
brought out the fundamental goodness in people, along with the
happiness she found with Mark her second husband. She
describes the music that she and her band (which she refers to as
her ‘Blue Diamonds’) as a “Soul Rockin’ Blues” sound and cites
her many influences as: Tina Turner, Koko Taylor, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, B.B. King, and
Michael Jackson, along with many Motown artists and AC/DC.

Recorded at Sawhorse Studios in St. Louis’ south city Dutchtown neighbourhood, Skylar and her
band who are Steven J. Hill and Marty Gibson on guitars, Jerry Ewing, bass with Pete Zimmer,
keyboards and “Disco Fuzz” Bradley Arl on drums, burn through ten original numbers. Razor sharp,
hard rocking, twanging riffs abound, (Ref. Taggart TV theme) especially so on the first two

numbers ‘Hard Headed Woman’ and ‘Back To Memphis’. The former is a tale of a woman with
singular ways and most certainly a singular determination. The latter is a yearning for the comfort
of music and friends in a familiar place. ‘Thankful’, is a slow burning, guitar-led soulful ballad
reminding us all that we should be grateful for small mercies. Skylar’s splendid vocals range from a
blistering raw holler to a very affecting contralto. ‘Firebreather’, is a rolling, tumbling sinew

stiffening rocker with a writhing guitar and scorching B3 screaming their way forward. The
enticingly irresistible, hand clapping, gospel influenced B3 led ‘Movin’ On,’ suggests that you should
not trust false friends but trust in your own judgement and keep on… ‘Drowning,’ is an emotionally
powerful slow burner: Skylars’ mournful vocal is backed by a prowling guitar and delicate piano.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman.

Veronica Lewis—You Ain’t Unlucky—Blue Heart Records BHR
008

This is Veronica’s debut album and at the age of 17, she has
already garnered a number of plaudits and awards. This includes
being a four-time Granite State Blues Challenge Winner (the
nickname of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, ED) and a recipient
of the 2019 W.O.W. Rising Star Award. Last year, she was named

‘Blues Artist of the Year,’ by the Boston Music Awards. She also
won the 2020 Boston Blues Challenge and also named 2020’s
Best Young Artist by the New England Music Hall of Fame.