Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Nothing But The Water

I picked up the new album by Grace Potter And The Nocturnals titled "Nothing But The Water" and I was thoroughly impressed.

The album plays like albums of old, sounding more like a grass roots album than anything else. The only thing that ties it in with today is the mastering of the album, and the fact that it was originally released on a CD.

Grace Potter is a phenominal 22 year old beauty who sings so hard you often think she's going to pop a vein. Pushing so hard with her lungs, I'm sure she generates enough wind to scare any trailer park resident. Her vocal chops have been compared to only the best, including Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, and Janis Joplin.

To make her even more impressive, she not only sings like it's soon going out of style, she also plays instruments, often shaking a tambourine, or more importantly, backing the Nocturnals with her B-3 organ, or her acoustic guitar. Her B-3 playing has been compared to such artists as Stevie Winwood, Garth Hudson and Billy Preston.

Potter's backing guys, the Nocturnals, are Scott Tournet (lead guitar, harmonica, vocals), Bryan Dondero (upright/electric bass) and Matthew Burr (drums/percussion). All around the same age as Potter, they play like they've been playing for a time greater than their own age.

Listening to Grace Potter and company will bring the soul out in you, no matter how you're feeling when you pop their CD in your player. And no matter what style of music you like, you are guaranteed to get chills everytime you hear Potter belt out a few lines.

Bonnie Raitt: "One of the most soulful new bands around."

Taj Mahal: "This is an amazing band! Keep your eyes on this one."

Joe from the Spring Lake Locals: "Yeah, she's good. Janis is in her own category, but she (Potter) is Janis-ish."

Bear, dad of Spring Lake Locals' Matt: "Come on... that IS Janis..."

Whether you can tune them in on Sirius Satellite Radio's Jam_on (ch. 17) or not, you should definitely pick up "Nothing But The Water." You won't regret it.


8/10

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