jenny detra: Press

CD Review
Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes .com
A Monthly Online Blues Site

Been itching for some good old country soul? Jenny Detra surely will have the cure for what ails you. Her
self titled disc, on Hallmark Records, offers a heaping helping of country soul in the tradition of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, and Dan Penn. "Jenny Detra" assembles an all-star cast of musicians, including keyboardist and co-producer, David Briggs (recorded with Elvis Presley and B.B. King among others) guitarists Danny Parks (worked with Dickie Betts and the Amazing Rhythm Aces) and Fred Newell (longtime Nashville Now guitarist), bassist Larry Paxton (2004 nominee for CMA musician of the year, worked with George Jones and Joe Cocker), and drummer Steve Turner (currently touring with Dolly Parton), who certainly know their way around the genre. Detra's vocals are expressive and soulful, perfect for the soul/blues crowd who appreciate singers like E.G. Kight. Her husky, soul-drenched vocals really stand out on the slower tracks, like "If This Is Love, " and "You're The Only Secret," and her composition skills
(she wrote eleven of the twelve tracks) are first-rate, as on the whimsical "Gold Diggers Blues," "Some Other Woman's Man," "We Sure Were Good Tonight," and "Shut Up And Dance" (co-written by Detra and co-producer Tommy Martin). Other highlights include the country rocker "Push On Through" and the pensive "My Friend." All in all, this is a great effort from Detra, and a nice addition to your country soul
collection. Look for it at www.cdbaby.com

CD REVIEW
BLUES AND RHYTHM MAGAZINE
APRIL 2006 ISSUE
WWW.BLUESANDRHYTHM.CO.UK


Jenny is a powerful singer with just a hint of a country twang in her voice. she was born in Wichita, Kansas but now lives in Georgia and has a
musical background in jazz, country and rock. This set combines these with a healthy dose of the blues, the result sounding a little like the Allman Brothers in their bluesier moments, with shades of Muscle shoals, vintage rock and roll, and the odd seventies singer/songwriter - hardly surprising as these influences reflect the experience of the tight little backing band too.

Much of it is extremely pleasing; I don't know if it would appeal to many readers but those with a taste for rocking southern females (think Linda Gail Lewis etc.) would do well to investigate this album.

CD Review
Rootstime magazine


Justice has been done!! The high expectations that a new album brings about were done in by the shutting down of the record company. There you stand, back to a job as a waitress at the airport. Fortunately, there was producer, Tommy Martin to persuade you to try it again and the result this time was spectaluar.

David Briggs,(played piano and keyboards with Elvis, Dobie Gray, Joe Cocker, and Roy Orbison among others,) Danny Parks, lead guitar (Amazing Rhythm Aces) Fred Newell, guitar, Larry Paxton, bass (CMA nominee for the musician of the year, 2004) and Steve Turner, drums (Dolly Parton) found time to extend a hand to Detra in the recording studio. They took only three days to get this splendid album ready to smoke. Excellent blues, pop and rock with here and there a dose of country. Roots music at its best and therefore a perfect fit for Rootstime. It will not surprise me if after this album Jenny goes through life known as the female Delbert McClinton. One of the pearls of the CD is the ballad, "My Friend", Jenny overwhelms us with "Guess Thats How It Is", steaming Muscle Shoals rhythm and blues. Other standouts are the calling card, "Im Back", "You're The Only Secret", "I Saw You", "Shut Up And Dance", and "Push On Through". Excellent roadhouse style entertainment that reminds us of among others, Marsha Ball and Marshall Chapman. Twelve great songs that should ensure that her wishes in "Gold Diggers Blues" become a reality. "I wanna be a rich girl with the whole world at my feet". You are on your way darlin'!

 WHATS THE BUZZ ABOUT JENNY DETRA AND THE BLUE CATS?

 

"Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats have a great knack for reading the audience.The band is incredibly professional and consistantly deliver a great performance.The crowd loves them and you will too!"

WICHITA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

"From their remarkable choice of music to their refreshing professionalism, Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats were the perfect band for our event. We actually heard comments regarding the group for months following our event. They will definitely be hired again for one of our future events.

TALLGRASS FILM ASSOCIATION

"Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats are a great band and they draw a large crowd!"

JO ZAKAS, CLIFTON WINE AND JAZZ, WICHITA

"If you're looking for a band with "jump", consider Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats. I started our blues night and Jerry's with them and had about the most fun I've ever had listening  to a band. Jenny gets after it and is extremely easy to work with - I highly recommend to anyone who likes good music, well performed, to consider Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats."

Sandy White, Jerry's Bar and Grill, Wichita, KS

"Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats played our event on the main stage at the Shadow in Wichita.  they were a pleasure to work  with throughout the booking process, were on time and ready to go at the event and impressed the socks off our guests with their music.  Toes were tapping, heads were swaying, and everyone had something good to say about Jenny's buttery smooth voice.  They were a huge Hit!"

JENNIFER BENNINGA

"Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats are a favorite acto of mine, excellent musicians with a fresh approach to jazz and blues. Give them a listen, you won't be dissapointed."

CHRIS LOCKE, SOUND ENGINEER, CL FACTOR, AUDIO, DIGITAL SOUND SYSTEMS

 

"I welcome this opportunity to highly recommend Jenny Detra and the Blue Cat's for your upcoming event.I first heard jenny when I was the president of Churchill/MCA Records and was so impressed with her talent that I have worked with her ever since.  Jenny is a wonderful singer, songwriter and entertainer who can win over all audiences, Pop, Jazz, or Blues.  Jenny Detra and the Blue Cats are the perfect group to make any event a success"

TOMMY MARTIN, PRESIDENT/CEO CHURCHIILL RECORDS