We've already written on 'Essex Boy Review' about this outstanding album but it's made out Top 20 so here we are again! The thing with Frazey Ford that really stood out and maintained the interest after repeated plays was the standard of songwriting. That she covers the classic Bob Dylan tune ‘One More Cup Of Coffee’ and it’s one of the weaker tracks here should tell you enough but there’s more. The title track ‘Firecracker’ paints a picture of booze fuelled bravado with a hint of doubt and reflection, but you just get the feeling that there’s so much more going on beneath the lyrics that can only reveal itself over time. A seriously great song and the others don’t let the side down either but then it’s not just the songwriting; this ladies got soul!
From start to finish if a track isn’t being pumped along to a raw seventies soul groove, hip-swaying drums with fruity organ and funky guitar chops, then even a slower number oozes the warm feel of a great soul ballad. You know Frazey could burst into a short refrain of Ann Peebles’ ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ over one of the fade-outs here and it wouldn’t sound wrong. ‘Blue Streak Mama’ has such a laid back vibe that you can just about here Frazey calling out changes to the band buried deep in the mix. But then it’s not just the fact that she’s got soul that makes this album such a winner. Oh no, it’s that voice as well. Frazey Ford is blessed with a vocal sound and sultry style of delivery that is about as distinctive as you can get. But what a voice, it melts over you and has sent me back to this album again and again and again. Listen to the whole album here:
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