Davis is a singer who evenly combines jazz and blues (even posing the question if there really is any difference between the two on “You Choose”). Her strong, rich voice holds an attractive, dramatic quality that suggests she’s also a stage actress, a storyteller, and a person who lives life to the fullest. Pianist Joe Johnson is here on several tracks — with a trio, larger band, or in duets with Davis — and he covers the stride/swing/down-home blues continuum with deft aplomb and witty depth. The 14 selections are programmed to offer something varied and definitely in the tradition. The piano-voice duets include the old-timey light stride of “Try a Little Tenderness,” the suggestive 12-bar howler “Press My Button,” and a laconic rendition of “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.” Trio takes include another, sweeter version of “I Let a Song Go Out,” the straight, bluesy swing of “Don’t You Know,” the campy “You Can’t Ride This Train,” and the evergreen “Honeysuckle Rose.” Pianist Erwin Helfer replaces Johnson for two classics: “Darktown Strutters Ball” (which features an unidentified saxophonist) and the Sippie Wallace chestnut “You Got to Know How.” There are also two a cappella numbers: “He Is That Kind of Friend” and “Java Jive,” on which Davis expresses her love/need for coffee. Whether it’s on the loosey-goosey “Blues & Bulls” or the daring “You Choose” (with bassist Tatsu Aoki), Davis shows she cares not about definitions, just good ‘ol authentic American music. Though she’s something of a late bloomer, the 40-something Davis proves on her debut disc that she truly is the last of the Chicago-based red hot mamas. – Michael G. Nastos
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