|
|
|
Ezina Moore
|
Power Of A Woman
Soulful Warrior Multimedia
Release: 6/22/2004
  |
|
Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
|
|
|
What do you get when you cross equal parts of soul/R&B with rock, tinged with funk and presented in a sexy package? Why, Ezina Moore, of course. This former Miss Black USA's second release is at once purring and rocking.
Moore wrote or co-wrote all the songs and contributed guitar to go along with her sultry vocals. She was also the executive producer for the album, which is on her label. Sometimes it is a bad idea for people to trust their own ears instead of a third party, but not in this case. The production and song selection are bang-on here.
The direction is split between up-tempo rockers, inviting ballads and Tracy Chapman-style songs with a bit more guitar. Think Joan Armatrading (Me Myself I era) for a rough comparison.
The record intro is a minute long spoken word piece that begs the question, how do we value women? It's followed by the title track, "Power Of A Woman," which is the centerpiece of the record. It's an almost six minute powerhouse that showcases Moore's strong voice and guitar abilities. A husky guitar is added towards the end of the track that propels it nicely to the finishing line.
"Scream" is another excellent song that has a seductive melody line with great vocals. Some nice guitar plucking motors "Back In The Day" over which flutters Moore's versatile voice, proving that she can be as restrained as she can be commanding.
"Fly So High" and "Had Me" are two rock-ish songs that feature her energetic guitar style, as well as on "Same Ol' Music," which is a rapid strum-fest. "Wrote Me Off" continues the riffage.
The solo voice and guitar-featured "Evil Ways" showcases her emotive, come-hither vocals. You can almost see a cocked eyebrow as she sings that she's changed her evil ways… although "sometimes I backslide just a little."
The only clunker is "Butterfly Blues," which has some vocals that are simply grating.
Power Of A Woman is a winner of a record. Great vocals, strong songs and melodic but raw guitar help make this an engaging listen. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
