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CD Review by Kyle Deibler
(Originally posted on Blues Bytes Magazine)
For those of you who’ve never been to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, I would strongly suggest that you make the trip to the Bluff City one time. As a veteran volunteer for this event, it consistently gives me the opportunity to see some of the best amateur bands in the country. These are the bands that day in and day out are keeping this music we all love so much alive.
Some of the buzz surrounding this past IBC centered on the amazing voice of Jennifer Marriott, and I was glad to see that she and her band, Odd Sheep Out, were assigned to my home in Memphis, the Rum Boogie. I came away from Memphis with a copy of her latest record, Baa Baa Blue Sheep, and it’s high time I got around to reviewing it.
The first cut, "Chicago Blues,” finds our lead singer out in the cold. Her lover left her behind in Chicago all alone and she’s finding out the real meaning of blues in Chicago. “Loving you was a gamble…don’t know if I win or lose…if you want…make it happen…play me some of those Chicago Blues!” It turns out she’s not too heartbroken, “no need to worry…it’ll be all right…cause you left me in Chicago on a Saturday night!” I have no doubt that Jennifer will end up just fine. This theme of mistreatment continues on the next cut, “I Don’t Understand.” Jennifer’s a hard working woman and somehow her man is still finding time to step out on her. “I work hard at night…come home in the morning time…found some strange clothes in my closet…they weren’t mine.” “I’m a good lovin woman…just want to please my man…why he’s acting so funny…I just don’t understand.” I don’t understand it either but he obviously needs to go. Good luck!
Peter Marriott’s blazing guitar intro leads into his vocal on the next tune, “Pleasure.” “Come sit down beside me…why don’t you tell me your name?...cause I’ve been watching you for so long…and its driving me insane.” Peter obviously has a major interest in this object of his affection. And, of course, Jennifer has an answer for him. “Hello sweet daddy…Pleasure is my name…every time you flash those sweet eyes at me…you really…really fan my flame.” This is definitely one hot connection where the sparks are going to fly. Probably my favorite song on this record is “Outrunnin’ the Rain.” Jennifer’s vocal on this song is just amazing and her words stay with you, “I’ve been good…I’ve been bad…yes I have…nothing ever really changes….wherever I go…I’m outrunning the rain!? Odd Sheep Out is a very tight band and I hope I get the opportunity to see them again soon.
“Invested in You” brings us back to the reality of trying to make relationships work. Sometimes we all make bad choices and the thought of trying to mold a person into that image we hope for doesn’t always work out. “You lost the cards…you pawned the ring…you lost just about everything…wrote hot checks…all over town…I’m invested in you, baby…why do you want to treat me this way?” Mike Peace’s harp work provides the intro to our next cut, “Sweetness and Delight.” “Said good morning…are you feeling all right? He had a gleam in his eye and smiled so bright. Said 'awe baby…don’t look at me that way'…when you do…all I can say is “Sweetness and Delight…you’re my Sweetness and Delight!” Sounds like this is one relationship that is going to make it.
“Mister…can you spare a little change” is Jennifer’s inquiry on our next tune, “Spare Change.” “Change is in your pocket and its spinning on a dime…mister, can you spare a little change?” Soulful guitar work by Peter Marriott underscores her need for a just a little help from this stranger that she’s encountered. Temptation and bad choices influence the lyrics in “Long, Slow Spiral Down.” “Take that first little step…in a stroke of violence…God knows what else…give up without a sound…Please stop…or you start the long, slow spiral down!” The price of being a victim is a heavy one and there are choices everyone can make in the moment that will keep them safe.
“Sugar Daddy Blues” has Jennifer telling us that she’s a woman who knows what she wants. “I ain’t looking for my sugar daddy…that’s a rumor…that ain’t right…I want a man who comes home…keeps me warm at night!” All the players might as well stay home; Jennifer’s looking for one good man and nothing less will do. The final cut on the record, “Blues Plate Special,” has Jennifer in the kitchen cooking up some great soul food. “Tell you one thing that will do you some good…pigs feet, hammocks, hot barbecue…blues plate special…of some good soul food!”
So shout out to “Peep and the Sheep!” This was a great record when I first head it and I’m glad to have the opportunity to revisit it for Blues Bytes. Bands like this remind me that we’re lucky to have Blues in our soul and the opportunity to feel all the emotions a good Blues song will inspire. The IBC will celebrate its 25th anniversary next February and I hope some of you will visit Memphis in search of a band like Jennifer’s that reaches out and touches your soul. To learn more about Jennifer and Odd Sheep Out, visit her website at www.jennifermarriott.com.
--- Kyle Deibler - President Phoenix Blues Society Blues Bytes Magazine
