Chi Coltrane - Plak

ENGLISH

In the early Seventies, when Chi Coltrane was seen and heard in Europe on TV singing her hit 'Thunder And Lightning', the critics believed that they could once again celebrate a Lady of Rock. People in the USA, spoilt for choice when it came to great vocalists, were hoping to find someone worthy of following in Janis Joplin's footsteps, but the blond lady at the piano was judged somewhat warily: a great voice and a forceful keyboard style were not enough to rock one's way from Chicago's clubs into the top line-up of America's best rock and soul singers. It was however, these years of singing live that prepared Chi Coltrane's way to creating an impressive recording presence, which is well demonstrated in this album. The producer put together a studio group that set Chi's youthful, powerful voice on fire with its soul-like brass section. Tender emotions are found in the more tranquil numbers: 'Goodbye John' is full of yearning, and the ballad 'The Tree' glows with heart-warming woodland romance thanks to contributions from the horns. But Chi's voice comes over best in numbers such as in 'You Were My Friend', or in exhilarating Gospel songs ('Go Like Elijah'), where she can belt out the text and lend it further weight with powerful chords on the piano.

Recording: 1972 by Eric Prestidge

Production: Toxey French