Christine Ohlman Alternate Root feature

Imagine yourself singing at Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden, then imagine you are singing at President Obama’s Innauguration party, suppose you add in being the long standing vocalist for the legendary Saturday Night Live Band...still with me? Imagine you are singing in front of hundreds of thousands of people in Central Park fronting Big Brother and The Holding Company in tribute to Janis Joplin...you’re dreaming right? Nope, you’re Christine Ohlman and those are just a few of the things that stand out on your incredible resume. There’s more; plenty more.

Christine Ohlman and her band Rebel Montez have just released their sixth studio album, The Deep End, to what will undoubtedly be rave critical acclaim. Let it begin here. It’s staggering! From the opening number, There Ain’t No Cure, a duet with Ian Hunter the album rumbles through a mix of blues, rock and soul with authority and authenticity aided by some renowned innovators and Ohlman’s rock steady band.

The title track calls on the guitar services of former NRBQ legend Big Al Anderson for the Springsteen-esque slow rocker that immerses the audience in the warm waters of Ohlman’s soulful voice. The Deep End is lyrically powerful; painting an expression of the albums recurring theme, love, as both an immovable object and an irresistable force.

Ohlman invites the collision of those two forces with equal fervor throughout, even stepping on the gas from both sides...this ain’t no sappy love song album, no sir!

Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel bends the bee- hive on the track ‘Love Make You Do Stupid Things’ a particularly vivid look at the addictive power of love with a raunchy blues soundtrack. I can see the hot blonde in the leopard print dress rumbling down the highway in a ‘62 Eldorado, mascara running and all. No one plays that trashy Peter Gunn in- fused style like Roscoe Ambel. That was a good call.

If the best of 90’s roots rock isn’t retro yet ‘Love You Right’ may help the cause. Big Al Anderson returns to add his unmistakeable fills and immediately I was reminiscing about Lone Justice, The Beat Farmers and the Del Lords. Ohlman matches the many facets of her vocal repertoire with an uncanny ability to craft a wide variety of musical styles and master them all. This is one of my favorite songs on an album full of really fun songs to listen to.

I do have a favorite however and it’s another example of the cache that Christine Ohlman carries within the music world paired with good decision making by producers Andy York, Ohlman and Vic Steffens. Enlisting the services of rock legend Dion DiMucci to sing with Ohlman on the gospel tinged ‘Cry Baby Cry’ is a great touch.

DiMucci and Ohlman trade off each other in a Girl Group meets Doo-Wop trio rumble complete with talking vocals. Ohlman has her rock and roll history book tucked under her arm as she pays homage to the vocal group greats of the 1960’s Ronnie Spector, (The Ronnetes), Mary Weiss (Shangri-Las), Judy Craig (Chiffons) among many others. ‘Cry Baby Cry’ had me from the first church organ notes and left me wanting more.

I did get more. Did I mention the Shangri-Las? ‘What’s The Matter With You Baby’ features Marshall Crenshaw along side Ohlman once again. (The two shared the spotlight on the Nick Lowe retrospective ‘Labour of Love’ singing the classic ‘Cruel to be Kind.’) The combination of Crenshaw, Ohlman and a really good song once again produced a magical moment and I haven’t even mentioned the tasty drumming of Levon Helm. This song reminded me of the glorious heyday of 60’s soul music when the Essex, The Shangri-Las and Ruby and the Romantics ruled the earth.

There’s a full fifteen songs on ‘The Deep End’ with little if any filler. Each of these tracks stands on their own even without the addition of well known participants. Rebel Montez is a formidable combo made up of seasoned veterans Michael Colbath (bass), Larry Donahue (drums) and Cliff Goodwin (guitar, vocals). While they may stand on the side for moments of this album, their presence and versatility is felt throughout.

You get a lot of free music in this line of work and it’s easy to get spoiled. Occasionaly I get an album in that had I not gotten it to review I would have gone out and bought it...just to review. This is one of those albums. Click on the play button below and give it a listen. BUY it at www.christineohlman.net.

Christine Ohlman and Reb Landers interview for Alternate Root TV including a rare acoustic performance from the Queen of the Beehive.