
To hear Kight, is to conjure Phoebe Snow singing at a southern gospel convention. Nicknamed “The Georgia Songbird,” Kight started her career in country music, but now works as a blues artist, her voice effortlessly gliding from blues to jazz and back again, seasoned with a touch of red-eye gravy.
“Holdin’ On,” the opening track is a mid-tempo ballad about staying the course when you hit troubled waters. “Graveyard Dead Blues” is next, with Kight promising she can make her man quite happy. But first she has to lay down a few ground rules, “If you ever cheat or beat on me, you might get yourself buckshot.” In the next breath she details more of her arsenal, a stick broom and a large frying pan. The frying pan resurfaces later on in the album, in a slightly more benign manner.
“Low Mileage Woman,” finds Kight advertising her availability while confessing she’s in need of a tune-up. Georgia native Randall Bramblett adds some sanctified Hammond organ when Kight and her band go to church on “Don’t Give Up.” The good time gospel feel, and Willie Morris’ background vocals, along with the rollicking piano of Paul Hornsby would seem right at home on Brother Jimmy Swaggart’s television program.
Ken Wynn’s guitar drives “Let’s Get Down,” a paean to the back yard barbeque. It is here that the frying pan of death makes its return in a more life affirming manner, with some catfish cooking to go along with the country ham and sweet tater pie. The details prompt the thought that at some point Kight could have a second career on the Food Network.
Tommy Talton guests on four tracks and his tasty guitar work creates the tension that underscores “Misunderstood.” For the rest of the album, Kight's regular guitarist Ken Wynn holds down the fort. It should be noted that Wynn's playing is versatile, nimble and precise. He seems to know just what each song on the album needs, making a strong contribution yet never seeking to challenge his boss for your attention. In fact the entire band is tight and focused on serving the song.
“Coming Down with The Blues,” a slow ballad, is the standout track on the album and a perfect song to proceed last call and closing time at your favorite bar. Kight’s supple vocal will stay in your head for the ride home, and long after.