kerri simpson

Vodou - Sun Gonna Shine

Review by Paul Parello, Radio WRMN, Chicago, USA

"Kerri Simpson is a rare treat. Many female vocalists, when approaching Blues, fall under the misconception that they need to sound like Minnie, Bessie, Etta or Janis. Kerri Simpson sings the Blues like Kerri Simpson, not imitating but initiating, singing from the heart....Developing her own unique sound which comes straight from her soul"

Kerri Simpson Sun Gonna Shine hailed one of the best releases for 2003.
Belmore Records is thrilled with the response to Kerri Simpson's outstanding album Sun Gonna Shine which was released in October 2003. It has polled very well in the critics choices for the year and received rave reviews Australia wide. If you are into brilliant blues and gospel with innovative and incisive interpretations this album is a must.

Kerri Simpson - Sun Gonna Shine - out now on Belmore Records, distributed through MGM

The Polls
The Sunday Herald Sun - Lee Howard - Best top 20 - Kerri Simpson - Sun Gonna Shine (#4)
The Age EG - Patrick Donovan - best blues release 2003
2003 Rythyms Readers' Poll
Blues Album of The Year runner up
Rhythms Best Of albums - number 12 in the top 20

Kerri Simpson is without a doubt one of Australia's most versatile and accomplished vocalists. She has made her mark in a range of genres, but to many her star really shines when she is singing blues and gospel - abd she has really hit her mark with SUN GONNA SHINE.

Working with long time collaborators, Dean Addison, Ron Tabuteau, Mark Grunden, Ben Grayson and Ray Periera SUN GONNA SHINE is a refreshing and predominately acoustic approach blending a sublime mix of blues, field hollers, chants and gospel.

Kerri is constantly drawing on life experiences, and this album is no different - it is a great combined successor to the ARIA nominated Confessinj' the Blues, and also the ambitious and critically acclaimed Vodou - Songs of the Spirits recorded in New Orleans & Haiti

With SUN GONNA SHINE Kerri delves back into the rhythms of Africa and the American South. The music evokes haunting aural images of slavery, and prison chain gangs, and then takes an uplifting turn with inspiring early spirituals.

Amongst the highlights on the CD are We Will Fly Away - a song Kerri penned with New Orleans songwriting team Norman Caesar and Jason Neville and Haitian Freedom Song written from srories passed on by Haitian Vodou priest and painter Andre Pierre. Kerri has an outstanding talent, and this her sixth independent release in ten years deserves a serious listen.

Kerri Simpson - SUN GONNA SHINE, album launch will feature fellow label mate Rory Ellis, and promises to be one of the best nights of blues and gospel your heart could desire.