Candye Kane

Candye Kane is not afraid to take chances, and has proven time and time again that there is little that can get her down. On her seventh album, San Diego’s most popular blues singer delivers a potpourri of style. Kane does it all — straight blues, jumping jive, a little pop, and some sweet, torchy crooning. Recorded with some of the finest musicians in Austin, Texas, Kane pulls out the stops on White Trash Girl, and the results will have you shaking that butt.

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Keeping consistent with her prevailing themes of feminine empowerment, liberated sexuality, and plenty of self-love, Kane knows what works for her. The brazen title cut is a glorification of one type of “alternative lifestyle” (particularly prevalent in the South) that makes a powerful statement regarding individual pride. The tender love song “What Happened to the Girl” (written by Kane’s teenage son) shows another side of this big blues mama, and her bouncy take on the Lovin’ Spoonful’s classic “Daydream” gives the song a whole new image. Of course, Kane also has to put a couple of racy numbers in the mix, and “Masturbation Blues” is not one you want your grandma to hear.

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With so many blues artists recycling the same licks and phrases ad nauseum, Kane’s music is a refreshing and enjoyable diversion, even with a little social consciousness thrown in for the sake of education. Have fun, but pay attention.