The Ice Queen Cometh (March 2nd, to be precise)!
Canadian Sue Foley had received numerous music awards in her home country. Now based in Texas, she has recorded her newest album, The Ice Queen, with the help of a number of Texas legends such as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Jimmie Vaughan, Charlie Sexton, and the Texas Horns among others.
She has stayed close to her musical foundation for her new release, combining rock, blues, roots, and even a little flamenco into a contemporary amalgam of sound.
She wisely mixes up the styles and tempos. She thunders through “81,” “The Ice Queen,” ”Fool’s Gold” with Billy Gibbons, and a horn-drenched “If I Have Forsaken You.” She steps forward with her vocals and guitar on a bluesy cover of Besse Smith’s classic “Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair.”
As good as the full-throttle songs are, sometimes simple is best. “Death Of A Dream,” with only bass and drums in support, is a mellow jazzy journey.
The final two tracks are just Foley, her guitar, and voice. “The Dance” is an interesting fusion of the blues and an acoustic flamenco style. The final track again finds her solo, taking on a nice rendition of the Carter Family’s “Cannonball Blues.”
Sue Foley is a mature musician who has found a home in Texas. The Ice Queen is a fine collection of Canadian blues and roots music, Texas style.