Blame Sally is a San Francisco Bay area band made up of four creative and talented ladies. They started their band while the members were in their late 30s and 40s. Each of the members shares in the lead vocals, but Pam Delgado takes care of percussion and guitar, Renee Harcourt plays guitar, bass, banjo, and harmonica, Jeri Jones also plays guitar, bass, dobro, and mandolin, and Monica Pasqual plays the piano, keys, accordion, and melodica. This album "lifts its name from a line in the bridge of the hard- charging leadoff single, "Living Without You," which describes a day, or maybe entire existence, that's "sweet and sour at the same time/mink and a porcupine/speeding ticket and a valentine."
This is an excellent album of perfect instrumentation mixed well with wonderful soft female vocal harmonies. The album is a huge canvass full of wonderful unique music to enjoy. Blame Sally is a fresh sound which will make a great addition to your record collection. No one to blame here, just a lot of credit for what will be the album that launches this band's career.
"Bird in Hand" opens with soft acoustic guitar from Renee and Monica's wonderful voice, along with drums and a bouncing beat. Jeri's electric guitar joins in and we have a great travelling song under way. Rob Strom's electric bass provides the cool backing rhythm to complete this excellent opener.
Jeri's resophonic slide guitar opens up "Big Big Red" with style, as Pam's lead vocals unveil the story line. Renee's mandolin and acoustic guitar provide a cool change of pace. There is a real cool bluesy feel to this song, one of my favorites on the album. "My bed's gonna have to be bigger. Because my love runs wide. My love runs wilder than a Texas river". Two great birds in hand already making this album a keeper.Pam's drums and percussion mix well with Jeri's lead guitar to open "Living Without You" to a cool rockin' beat. This has a real Bangles feel to it. At times you can close your eyes and almost imagine Susanna Hoffs singing. Renee's lead vocal is original, but when she hits some of those high notes and the ladies bring that harmony…well its magic. Monica's Wurlitzer and piano add a wonderful depth to the sound on this track.Beautiful acoustic guitar before Pam's lead vocals open "Mona Lisa Smile". Monica's piano and that Wurlitzer really do a great job of adding more depth to this song. Jeri's lead electric paints an awesome harmony to surround the soundscape. But it's Pam's lead vocals along with the group's harmonies which make this one so memorable. "No one ever said I had to be the Mona Lisa with a smile".
"Pajaros Sin Alas" is my favorite song along with "Countdown" on the album. The beauty in this sad song is tear jerking. The harmony of these ladies voices singing together open the song, before Monica takes over the lead. The piano and the glockenspiel, along with the accordion are just amazing. You have to hear that mandolin blend through the harmony and just lock in your ears. Despite its simplicity the diverse mix of instrumentation in the hands of these experts is worth the album price alone.
"Throw Me a Bone" is a wonderful kaleidoscope of sound. Renee's lead vocal mixed well with the acoustic guitar and mandolin just make you lay back in that easy chair and dream. "I try but I can't get the wings to fly". All of these vocal driven songs are full of great instrumentation and lyrics perfectly delivered in soft harmony. "I don't wanna waste your time; I just wanna blow your mind". Consider it done.
Pam's "Back in the Saddle" on lead vocals for this track. This one has a waltzy, country rhythm to it with good drums supporting the beat. The piano, slide and lead electric guitar playing really lifts the song.
"Countdown" is my favorite English language song on the album. This one is full of fun lyrics and I'll bet it's a live show standard. That organ and those fast drums really rock this one. The lyrics have that "I just wanna love you baby" feel to them. That organ and Wurlitzer are wonderful. Monica's lead vocals are fantastic, but the electric guitar solo from Renee is blazing. Bet that lifts the audience every time. Julie Wolf's guest Hammond B3 Organ solo is another highlight of this crowd pleaser.Fun, groovy lead electric guitar riffs and more of Julie's Hammond organ open "Wide Open Spaces". They seem to be hitting a great rhythm as the album is coming to a close. Just enough to make you want more. Renee's on lead vocals and they add all the other instruments you have been listening to throughout the album as an almost show stopper. More great lyrics and organ permeate this song. "Wide open spaces, I can't wait for us to go". Wide open spaces filled with great instrumentation and wonderful vocals.
Monica leads off on vocals for "Take Me There", after an awesome mix of banjo, acoustic and slide guitar. That piano punctuates the rhythm perfectly. Deep notes mixed well with the highs. Accordion is the crème on the top of the cake. A very powerful track and that piano will help you leave this wonderful album on a serious note...wishing there was more.
Track Listing
- Bird in Hand
- Big Big Red
- Living Without You
- Mona Lisa Smile
- Pajaros Sin Alas
- Countdown
- Throw Me a Bone
- Back in the Saddle
- Wide Open Spaces
- Take Me There
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