This multi-talented woman has carved herself a niche in the Honky Tonk blues genre. A Texas native, Katie sings and tickles the ivory keys with power and grace. On the inside cover, there's a picture with her three band members, and Katie perched atop a piano in all red with her fists up as if to say, "Put 'em up." She has such a commanding voice, but you can tell she has fun doing what she does. She sings, "Grab your seatbelts, honey!"

Tracks:

"Two-Fisted Mama" (3:23) "I'm a two-fisted mama, you better watch out for me. I'm gonna rock your boogie-woogie, I'm gonna shake your keys. Cause I'm a two-fisted mama, just you wait and see." Her energetic honky-tonk slammin' keyboard style is very catchy. You can't help yourself from tappin your toes or fingers. "I learned how to Boogie-Woogie when I was just a child. And playin' that Texas Shuffle, used to drive my mother wild. She said playin' blues "piana" was improper for a girl. But these two fists of mine, took me all around the world."

"Stood Up Again" (4:11) "Seems like I'm stood up again. The next day I called your office, they said you were out to lunch. So I went by your favorite restaurant, I thought I'd play my hunch. The person sittin' next to you, didn't look like a client to me. With her arms around your neck and you hand up on her knee. Katie's voice is on showcase this time around - backed up by a horn section. Powerful words. I'd NEVER stand this woman up! "That old flame of mine, I'll tell ya. He may have a little snow on top of the mountain, but there's a whole lotta heat in that microwave."

"Red Negligee" (9:37) Slowing things down a notch, Katie shifts into slow-blues mode. She sings about her man in a very funny way. You must hear this almost 10 minute song. It will make us all smile. "Well, well, well, well, well. The time has come to tell you about that no-good man o' mine. You know how some men love their wives, and when they come home in the evening, they bring home beautiful flowers, roses, chrysanthemums, daffodils. My man brings me home cactus plants with poison ivy on the side. Something is definitely wrong with that man." She can't even get his lovin' when wearing her red negligee, so does she stray? Go get this CD and find out. LOVE THIS SONG!

"C.Q. Boogie" (2:38) Here's a gem of a high-energy Honky Tonk instrumental. Katie burns up the keyboard better than most I have ever heard...male or female! The bass player must have had callouses after chasing Katie fingers at that pace.

"Never Let Me Go" (5:10) A slow love ballad, Katie turns it on. A soulful piano bar blues tune. "A million times or more, you said Katie baby, oh my darlin, we'll never part. Oh but lately baby, I found you're just a stranger in my heart."

"Love Deluxe" (3:22) "You got nothing and I got less. When we're together, I swear it's the best." There's a woman who needs nothing but her man's love. Here's a duet with an up-tempo sound complete with a horn section.

"Pussycat Moan" (6:02) This tune shows off Katie's sultry sexy side. This slow song will make people rip their clothes off! Her wails and moans make anyone stop and ask who is singing. "So many days since you been away. I often think of you, my sweet daddy each night and day." What starts off as a seemingly sweet love ballad, quickly turns into a "you messed with the wrong woman" tune. "You're spending my money, chasing every woman in town. Listen man, if you know you didn't want my lovin' why in the hell didn't you stop and put my dollars down? You know that's the one thing, the main thing, baby, that can get you a lifetime home...in the ground" WOW!

"Money Honey or Honey Hush" (3:36) Katie tells it like it is, here, again. "Honey,let me tell you about these sweet-talkin men. You know, kind words are alright and we all need to hear them sometimes. But, honey, them sweet words they don't pay nobody's rent." Sure to become some lady's theme song!

"I'm Still Leaving You" (3:36) A great break-up song. "Goodbye, baby. Our love is through. Even though, you admit you're wrong, you're playin' me for a fool. I'm gonna live in misery, and I know I'm gonna be blue. I'm still leavin' you - yes, I am!"

"The Katie Lee" (2:16) Another honky-tonk boogie-woogie fact-paced piano-stompin' blues tune that is sure to make feet start movin and tappin'. Go, Katie!

"So Far Away" (5:44) Generally, I do NOT like newer versions of original songs. Here, Katie does a great job of this Dire Straits song. While Knopfler's melodic guitar is missing, Katie's voice and piano cover this song with a gospel grace.

Anyone new to the blues, should check out Katie and her magical keyboard prowess. Anyone else... just go get this CD....you'll thank me later.

Produced in 1989 for Alligator Records catalog # ALCD 4777

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends