Carmen Ratti Band with Jill Dineen — “Come to Me” — MoMojo Records
The Carmen Ratti Band with Jill Deneen is a powerhouse blues and roots outfit from Northern California, with Ratti’s strong guitar work and Deneen’s soulful vocals creating a passionate framework for their latest album, “Come to Me.”
“This record mirrors the roots of blues while incorporating soul, gospel, rock blues and funk. These textures honor our influences and show up in many different ways throughout the album,” Ratti says.
“Come to Me” is a follow to the band’s 2021’s debut album, “The Road Back,” both produced by Kid Andersen’s increasing fabulous Greaseland Studios. The band was also a winner of the 2023 Golden Gate Blues Society International Blues Challenge.
The musical textures that Ratti talks about show up in the rootsy variety of the 11 original tracks (including two versions of the title track), all with Ratti or Deneen’s name on them.
The opener, “No Delusion,” is a funky blues by Dineen that introduces her soaring vocal style, with Ratti’s tough guitar and Tony Lufrano’s driving piano powering it all along. “Get In Line” rocks out next, another vocal showcase.
The title track, by Ratti and Dineen, is a gorgeous effort, a haunting melody overlaid with Dineen’s torchy vocal and ethereal background vocals by Lisa Leuschner Andersen. The song is reprised as the album closer, adding two more minutes of its pure enchantment.
Lufrano’s roiling organ licks kick off the chunky rhythms of “I Can See,” with a trenchant observation: “Open up my eyes, scroll through the news / “Looks like you’ve been messin’ round anyone with shoes.” Ratti’s haunting guitar powers the instrumental “Riley,” giving every note the space it needs to breathe its essence, while Lufrano adds elegant solos on both organ and piano.
“Blessing in the Blues” is a gospel-soaked slow blues masterpiece, drenched in gorgeous guitar and elevated by Dineen’s passionate vocal. Dineen keeps pushing higher on the foot-stomping “Coming Down,” highlighted by another wicked organ solo. “About You” features Ratti on his one vocal appearance, “Uncle Joe” is a bright and jazzy guitar-driven instrumental and Dineen’s take on her own “Pretty Good Man” is a scorching, bump-and-grind throwback with Dineen’s hard-to-resist demand for just one good man. The closer is that longer version of “Come to Me,” that adds even more depth and power to its anthemic plea.
“Come to Me” is an excellent album all around — from thoughtful songwriting from Carmen Ratti and Jill Deneen to the band’s musical sharpness elevating the power and passion of Dineens’ vocals. They can keep their hearts in San Francisco, but their music needs to be everywhere!
Here’s “Get in Line” from the album:
Tracklist:
1. No Delusion – 3:59 (Jill Dineen)
2. Get In Line – 4:29 (David Fulford & Jill Dineen)
3. Come to Me – 4:49 (Carmen Ratti & Jill Dineen)
4. I Can See – 3:52 (Jill Dineen)
5. Riley – 5:54 (Carmen Ratti)
6. Blessing in the Blues – 4:50 (Carmen Ratti & Jill Dineen)
7. Coming Down – 5:50 (Carmen Ratti)
8. About You – 4:54 (Carmen Ratti)
9. Uncle Joe – 4:03 (Carmen Ratti)
10. Pretty Good Man – 4:06 (Jill Dineen)
11. Come to Me ~ Extended Version – 6:58 (Carmen Ratti & Jill Dineen)
Musicians:
Carmen Ratti – Guitar, Vocals
Jill Dineen – Vocals
Tony “Macaroni” Lufrano – Organ, Piano Background Vocals on Coming Down
Steve Hazlewood – Bass
Randy Hayes – Drums
Lisa Leuschner Andersen — Background Vocals on Come to Me
Recorded – Mixed – Mastered – Produced by Christoffer Lund Andersen Greaseland Studios USA