Bring It On Home

Long before the world took note of Joan Osborne, she'd been building a solid following as a committed blues singer. Her turn toward pop music was a brief detour in a career that's brought out the best in the blues. One listen to her take on John Mayall's "Broken Wings" is all the evidence needed to explain her ear and her understanding of the deep blues. Allen Toussaint's "Shoorah! Shoorah!," with Toussaint on piano, kicks up the joy at the other end of the spectrum. Muddy Waters' "I Want To Be Loved" turns up the flame. Slim Harpo's "Shake Your Hips" is equally a tribute to The Rolling Stones, who introduced the tune to rock audiences on their essential <i>Exile on Main St.</i>. Her road band is on fire throughout, with Jimmy Vivino directing the horns and Barbecue Bob Pomeroy adding incendiary harmonica to the obscure "Roll Like a Big Wheel." The production between Osborne and Jack Petruzzelli is nothing short of spectacular, and it's clear that as a singer Osborne loves this material deep in her soul.