Jo Serrapere slinks, shimmies and bops her way through the first half of this record as she pays tribute to pre-Depression era folk blues and emergent jazz musicians. With her engaging and knowing vocal delivery, Serrapere would not be out of place in a Prohibition speakeasy. The lyrics have a ’90s, postfeminist spin that gives the songs currency, though. “I’m not your silhouette to contour all your life/or fill you up with compliments/to cover up your size” she challenges on “Throw Rug Blues.” And her version of “C.C.Rider” is light years away from Mitch Ryder, evoking the image of pickin’ away in a rocking chair on a Georgia farmhouse porch to an audience of one. Simpler times brought into the now. The second half of the CD consists of earnestly traditional folk songs — not as engaging as the first half. Serrapere is far more delightful as Betty Boop and Clara Bow than as Joan Baez. Over all, very well done, though.
This article appears in May 27 – Jun 2, 1998.