Album Review: “COME SING WITH ME” by Patti Parks

REVIEW BY JMM

Patti Parks, a soulfully uplifting singer and esteemed multi-award-winning vocalist, delivers a mesmerizing and spirited album with “COME SING WITH ME.” Teaming up with Soul-Blues Legend Johnny Rawls for production, this album is a fusion of blues, Memphis Soul, Gospel, and Carolina Swag, creating an explosive musical journey.

The tracks on this album are carefully selected, showcasing Patti’s stunning, warm voice that soars over cleverly crafted lyrics and memorable rhythms. The collaboration with Rawls on two duets, especially the aching ballad “I’m In Love With You Baby,” co-written by Rawls and Patti’s husband Guy Nirelli, encapsulates a beautiful emotional depth. Additionally, Johnny’s midtempo southern swing, “How Much Longer,” infuses a Shag Dance feel, further diversifying the album’s sonic landscape.

Featuring guest artists like renowned pianist Anthony Geraci and harmonica maestro Richard Rosenblatt, tracks like “DJ’s Boogie” and the burning slow blues of “Hamburger Man” elevate the album’s vibrancy and texture. The impactful message of “Sing Around the World,” aided by gospel recording artists Kamira Lattimore and organist Aaron Blackmon, resonates with love, life, and spirit.

Patti Parks, known not only for her musical prowess but also as a dedicated working nurse, integrates her healing passion seamlessly into the album. Her national recognition for “Nurse’n Blues” underscores her understanding of the blues’ therapeutic power. “COME SING WITH ME” embodies strength and style, channeling the blues as a force of healing.

Critics have praised Patti’s ability to infuse depth into her renditions. With a smoldering reading of the ballad “One Foot Out The Door,” a searing delivery on “I’m Sorry,” and a roots-bound take on the soul-rocker “A Lotta Man,” Parks showcases her versatility and emotional range, solidifying her status as a powerhouse vocalist.

In essence, “COME SING WITH ME” is not just an album; it’s a testament to Patti Parks’ musical prowess, her dedication to the blues, and her ability to intertwine the healing power of music seamlessly into her life’s work.

Tracklist:

1. I’m In Love With You Baby (Johnny Rawls, Guy Nirelli)
2. DJ’s Boogie (I Like to Boogie) (Guy Nirelli)
3. One Foot Out The Door (Derrick Procell, Terry Abrahamson)
4. Sing Around The World (Patti Parks, Guy Nirelli)
5. I’m Sorry (Guy Nirelli)
6. Hamburger Man (Phyllis Livingston)
7. Why (Guy Nirelli)
8. A Lotta Man (Derrick Procell, Terry Abrahamson)
9. How Much Longer (Johnny Rawls)
10. Good Day For The Blues (Guy Nirelli)

Quotes:

• “When paired with a suitably meaty set of lyrics, vocalist Patti Parks holds up her half of the bargain, evidenced here with a smouldering reading of the ballad ‘One Foot Out The Door’…” — Duane Verh, Roots Music Report
• “Patti Parks has found a way to match her love for the blues with her life’s most meaningful work – one of the greatest examples of the well-worn cliché that music is a healing force. She is the embodiment of it.” – Jim Hynes, Making A Scene