SUSAN TEDESCHI

"Wait For Me"

Tone Cool / Artemis Records

Susan Tedeschi had made a name for herself in the national blues spotlight with her 1998 effort "Just Won't Burn". Now Tedeschi, a 2000 Grammy nominee for "Best New Artist", attempts to follow up on the success of that work with "Wait For Me", an 11 song collection of new songs on the Tone Cool / Artemis label. Produced by Tom Dowd (of Allman Brothers & Aretha Franklin fame), "Wait For Me" does not disappoint and further establishes Tedeschi in a solid position alongside music's most talented female singers.

While Tedeschi's vocal work has often been compared to that of a young Franklin, Janis Joplin, or most often Bonnie Raitt (a major influence), "Wait For Me" further develops Tedeschi's musical catalog and shows that she can sing more than just blues music. While Tedeschi's strength is clearly her soulful, emotional singing on tracks like "'Til I Found You" or "Don't Think Twice", "Wait For Me" also covers an array of styles, evident in listening to strong ballads like the soothing "In the Garden" or the hard-driving high notes she reaches on the funky "Hampmotized". Tedeschi's husband, guitarist Derek Trucks, also offers a few musical highlights, especially his slide guitar work on "Feeling Music Brings". Trucks also produces that track, in addition to "Gonna Move", the album's first single which has already received some significant airplay around the country.

Susan Tedeschi possesses every bit of talent and some left over required to become a major player in the world of female vocalists. "Wait For Me" appears to be her next successful step in reaching that pinnacle.

- Don Sikorski

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