Blue Voodoo – The Storm
{2005 | Pure Air Music}

Situated in Northeast Missouri between Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis, Blue Voodoo is a rocking’ blues quartet that features BJ Allen on lead vocals. This gal can sing and delivers with tons of passion and soul. The band offers a tightly tuned cd that provides the listener with a variety of blues styles. The group is a two-time winner of the Tri-States Blues Challenge (precursor to the International Blues Challenge 2005 and 2006) and this disc titled “The Storm” is their second release. This disc is up for the Blues Foundations Best Self-Produced CD and has advanced to the final eight CDs.

The band is:
BJ Allen - Vocals/percussion
Thad Daniels - Drums
Jon Hurd - Bass/vocals
Jerry Fuller - Guitar/piano/vocals

1. Sweet Talk & Wine – brief little number that gets kicking half way through
2. Don’t Be Hard on Me Baby - harp lends a little charm to this song
3. The Storm - funk flare with powerful vocals, piano and pleasing guitar work
4. Singin’ My Own Blues Now – slow tune that makes you feel the blues
5. The Devil In Me - sultry little song
6. Something For Nothing- enjoyable guitar and vocals
7. Willow Tree - nice and simple track
8. Disneyland For The Blues - creative Cajun beat with cool keys and harp
9. Sittin’ On Top Of The World - slow and easy and puts you in a blues state of mind
10. Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore - acoustic gem with harp, my favorite track
11. Good-Bye Baby - driving rhythm and groovy guitar work

While this CD is quite enjoyable I’m sure that their live show can only prove to be a blues lover delight full of energy and soul. I give this disc 3.0 out of 5 on the STLBluesometer. You can listen to a few of their tracks on their website at www.bluevoodooblues.com or go check them out for yourself live at the IBC in Memphis on 1/26/06 at 12:00pm.

Joseph 'UJ' Miller

(Publishers note - Several Missouri bands will be at the IBC bringing their style of Blues to Beale Street, names you undoubtedly know of, or should know of! Bands such as the Phat noiZ Blues band from St. Louis (nominated by the Mo. Blues Association), and Tripwire Blues Band out of Springfield MO. (nominated by the Blues Society of the Ozarks) will be showcasing their stuff to the IBC judges along Beale beginning on Jan. 26, 2006. Come for a great time and to support these hard working Bluesmen from MO! Several members of the STLBlues staff may just be at the IBC, we'll see you there!)