Whitney Shay, Stand Up! Review

Whitney Shay is a four-time San Diego Music Award winner and 2019 Blues Music Award, nominee. The fiery vocalist and songwriter has been scorching stages here in the United States and internationally throughout Europe and South America. Shay’s release A Woman Rules the World, landed on several notable music media lists, including Top Albums of the Year in Blues Music Magazine, France’s Soul Bag Mag, and top ratings in Norway’s Bluesnews Magazine and Germany’s Magazin bluesnews. Shay’s tracks have also been placed in TV/film, including shows on NBC, HBO, Bravo, BET, and Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral. Her drive and abilities have caught the attention of Ruf Records label, which Shay recently signed to and will extensively tour in Europe in 2020 with Ruf’s Blues Caravan. Shay is now releasing her electric energy on her Ruf Records debut titled Stand Up! A collection of ten tunes filled with her, soulful style, and powerhouse pipes.

[section label=”Positives”] Positives:  Well-written songs with a lot of heart and soul performed by a solid band and brought to life by Shay’s full-bodied vocals.

[section label=”Bottom Line”] Bottom Line:  Stand Up! was recorded at Austin’s Wire Recording Studio with producer Kaz Kazanoff with the songs penned by Shay and writing partner Adam J. Eros. The music ranges from traditional blues to heart-wrenching ballads to selections that will fill the dancefloor. Shay’s songwriting always captures emotion with her lyrics and deal with personal emotions to society and politics. The duet with Guy Forsyth on “Far Apart (Still Close)” is a powerful moment, and the add male vocals compliment the flow and energy. The title track has hip horn lines from The Texas Horns, framing in Shay’s powerful brassy timbre. The horn arrangement is well-done and Laura Chavez plays a solid guitar solo. “Equal Ground” has a relaxed vibe with Shay exploring her vocal range from low to high, and Derek O’Brien guest on this track playing some serious slide guitar. “You won’t Put out This Flame” is a funky high energy track, this is where Shay shines, with full horns poppin’, spanky guitar figures, and driving bass and drums. Stand Up! has a serious vibe that is playful, while still having plenty of music width and the special guest are varied and add to the mix. “When I perform,” says Shay, “I want people to dance and be engaged. To me, music has always been about catharsis, the purging of sad experiences. If I can make the audience leave smiling and feeling like they’ve forgotten about the troubles of their day, I’ve done my job.” With that in mind, we say job well done on Stand Up! That’s the short of it!

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