Reviewers risk sounding like broken records when talking about Kerri Simpson. It’s just that the Melbourne-based singer is so bloody good at what she does, we want everyone to know. She’s one-of-a-kind. She’s paid her dues – with interest. She’s worked with virtually every artist of note from the local blues and roots scene. Here she’s backed by a selection of long-time mates in music, including Belmar studios producer Steve Purcell.

This third release in her ‘Knockin’ at the Backdoor’ series follows Maybe My Midnight and Fortune Favoured Me. There’s a distinct blues bent gracing the smoky late night mood here, with all nine tracks Simpson originals. The production is gloriously lo-fi and it’s easy to imagine our ‘Queen of the Blues’ laying down tracks at Stax or Chess in another era. No rehearsals were required for this experienced combo. When Simpson sits in on a late night session in New Orleans, this is what you might hear.
REVIEWER: CHRIS LAMBIE – FORTEMAG – MAR 10, 2014