Dana Fuchs is a blues singer and songwriter that possesses a voice that is deep in emotion and contains the perfect amount of grit to illicit excitement. She has three studio releases, and now she is back with her fourth, Love Lives On The album is about fighting back from personal tragedy, building on roots and inspiring love. The soul-drenched studio release contains thirteen tracks with Fuchs strong vocals and a talented band. The band is a hard-hitting line up of: Steve Potts on drums, and on organ is the Reverend Charles Hodges, on bass is Jack Daley, Mark Franklin is on saxophone, Kirk Smothers on trumpet, Felix Hernandez plays congas, Eric Lewis adds pedal steel for a track and Jon Diamond plays various guitars. The music on Love Lives On, is bluesy and relaxed and run the course from authentic lowdown Texas blues, to 60’s rock-n-roll flavored selections, but overall this is a solid soul/rock outing. Fuchs and her writing partner and guitarist, Diamond, are highly talented, and the songwriting is focused, with melody driven tunes. Love Lives On is an inspiration, and that’s the short of it!
Positives:
Wonderful songwriting mixed with well-chosen covers that have a progression of flow throughout the album, highlighted with strong singing by Fuchs. The band is kickin’ the guitar playing is top-shelf.
Bottom Line:
Love Lives On is a fine collection of tunes with excellent singing that is full of soul/rock heart and soul. The band and Fuchs all convey the energy and emotion that each song’s emotional core deals with and build upon the stories of overcoming hardships. Fuchs singing is expressive, unique, and commanding as she is firmly in the driver’s seat from beginning to end of each track. There are a few surprises in the album and the lyrics add a certain depth to the overall proceedings that will surely inspire and uplift one’s heart. Love Lives On is Fuchs’ shining moment.