I discovered the wonderfully classy Nashville chanteuse Shay Dillon on MySpace and am thrilled that I had my account there long enough to bump into her because she’s one hell of an awesome find!  Shay’s debut release Through The Fire is a blues, jazz, R&B and soul collection of expertly crafted, hot blooded songs that are marvelously highlighted by Shay’s sensual, sultry voice.  Fans of Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Joss Stone, Norah Jones, Deanna Johnston and Susan Tedeschi will be immediately drawn to beautiful blonde Shay’s intrinsic style.  This self-taught artist made her first appearance on Nashville television at the age of 13.  Over the years her influences have ranged from country to gospel to rock and blues and Through The Fire is an excellent composite of them.  Shay is the 2006 Music Aid International Award winner for Best Female Solo Artist and will be included on Music Aid’s compilation CD.  She is making a name for herself all over Internet radio and could possibly be opening for Sheryl Crow in the not too distant future.  

Shay’s band for this album consists of partner Paul Kraushaar contributing all instrumentation, Tim Riley on lead guitar and bass, Craig Palmer on piano, Joe Thayer on bass and Michael Paul sings back-up vocals on a couple of tracks.  Shay provides all vocals and most of the back up and has written all of the songs with Paul except for “Slippin’ Away” and “I Been Good” which Tim Riley also contributed to.

Through The Fire opens with the smoky, lovey-dovey jazz ballad “Happy…Every Day” and is followed by a scorching R&B number called “Breathing”.  The title song and one of my favourites on the album, “Through The Fire”, is a bluesy torch ditty punctuated by Tim Riley’s guitar solo:

“Join in the melody of lonely souls
in this burning sea…something’s
Bound to set them free…
Or drown them in their own misery…
Beauty from the ashes,
Life from the dust…
We all walk through the fire”

“Wide Awake” is a superlative full-out blues raunch that would make Bonnie Raitt herself proud.  Buddy Leach’s skilful baritone and tenor saxophone solos permeate “Wide Awake” and effortlessly make it my favourite track.  Buddy also plays sax on another sexy mid-tempo blues lament, “Drink Instead” and by the sixth track, “Slippin’ Away”, Shay confirms her gift as a natural, hip sashaying blues vocalist.  A slow, sad mist of heartbreak invades “Holdin’ On”, a song I imagine Billie Holiday would have enjoyed singing and “Cry” is a Southern Fried rock confession featuring Brad Davis’ sizzling slide guitar.  “Black Crows” is an Alison Krause-reminiscent country spell caster and “People Say” a Texas style blues/rock ballad.  Put your cowboy boots on and get down to “I Been Good”, the best boogie beat shit-kicker on Through The Fire and I for one would like to hear Shay rock out a little harder on her next album.  “Maybe Tomorrow” seems just a little out of place as it’s a largely pop-influenced song and the album ends with a similar downer “Love and Hate”, which sounds like something Mariah Carey might sing on a seriously depressed day.  Over all though Through The Fire is an exceptional debut that Shay can always be proud of and should pave the way for a lengthy music career.

This 13-track album is worth its weight in loonies and toonies folks so dig deep and order your copy now through Shay’s official website at www.shaydillon.com and stop by and tell her what you think at www.myspace.com/shaydillon.  By the way, note to the Kingston Blues Society: We need to hire this woman for one of our upcoming events!

Christine Bode
c.bode@partyinkingston.com
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I love the CD....Thank you so much for sharing.....
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Opening with "Happy Every Day", we did have initial reservations. Veering dangerously close to Ramada Inn jazz in its production, we wondered if the wait had indeed been worthwhile. Fortunately, it was a blip on the radar. The next song "Breathing" was truly compelling. "Wide Awake" treated us to a solid piece of blues on the subject of betrayal. "Holdin' On" is a heartfelt tale of having to share the love of a man. "Black Crows" features some excellent country flavoured guitar. The uptempo "I Been Good" was a highpoint but she saves the best for last with the ballad "Love and Hate". Accompanied by only a piano, her voice just soars. A strong song and proof positive that keeping it simple works. In fact, we would go so far as saying that we have the making of a genuine torch singer here.

So, this is one classy recording. Urbane rather than urban, Ms Dillon shows polish and no small amount of style in her performance. Add in the rather fine songs and you have an album that is indeed worthy of recommendation.
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