Album Review: "Evil Gal Blues" by Tina Schlieske
If you're into raw, soulful blues that hits like a shot of whiskey on an empty stomach, then Tina Schlieske’s Evil Gal Blues is your ticket. Released in 2009 under Movement Records (yep, outta Russia—how cool is that?), this album feels less like a polished studio project and more like a late-night jam session where everyone's spilling their guts.
Let’s talk tracks. First up, “Hustlin’ Woman Blues.” Man, this one sticks with ya. It grooves hard, thanks to Sheldon Gomberg laying down basslines so thick they could double as wallpaper. And Tina? Her voice here is pure fire—raspy yet smooth, like she’s whispering secrets only you can hear. You can almost picture her leaning against a bar somewhere, cigarette dangling from her lips, singing about life’s messy truths. What really seals the deal though are Jack Rudy’s harmonica riffs—they wail just enough to make your chest ache but not so much that it overwhelms. This song ain’t shy; it grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go.
Then there’s “Take Me Home With You Baby,” which flips the mood entirely. It’s softer, sweeter even, with Jeff Young tickling the piano keys like he’s coaxing confessions out of them. The strings—the Sonus Quartet—add this cinematic layer that makes you wanna close your eyes and drift off somewhere far away. But again, it’s Tina who owns the spotlight. When she sings, “Take me home,” it’s less a request and more a plea, like she’s begging for salvation or maybe just a damn break. Either way, it gets to you.
Oh, and shoutout to Chris Layton on drums—he keeps things tight without stealing the show, which honestly takes some serious restraint. Same goes for C.C. White and Laura Schlieske adding those backing vocals on certain tracks. They don’t overdo it; instead, they weave themselves into the fabric of the music just right.
What I love most about Evil Gal Blues is how unapologetically human it feels. There’s no auto-tune glossing over imperfections, no flashy production tricks trying too hard to impress. Instead, it’s all heart and grit, held together by killer performances from musicians who clearly know what they’re doing.
And hey, fun fact: Did anyone else notice the vibraphone on “She Wolf”? That little sprinkle of vibey goodness caught me off guard at first, but now I can’t imagine the track without it. Props to D.J. Bonebrake for sneaking that in there.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something real—something that reminds you why we still turn to music when words fail—give Evil Gal Blues a spin. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “Hustlin’ Woman Blues” while stuck in traffic. Or crying softly during “Take Me Home With You Baby.” Not saying it happened to me, but… well, you get the idea.
Final thought: Who knew Russian-released blues could feel this damn American? Go figure.
