Customer Reviews

Better Days

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought Just Won't Burn on a whim at a music store and fell in love with it the same day. I heard this woman named Susan Tedeschi with this remarkable bluesy voice that so reminded me of Bonnie Raitt. And who doesn't love Bonnie Raitt. But I discovered Susan Tedeschi is even better. Her voice has that Janis Joplin edge on tracks like It Hurt So Bad and Rock me Right.

I recently bought Better Days and love this album too though it's not quite as strong as Just Won't Burn. But that's a good thing cause we want our artists to improve with each album. That isn't to say Better Days isn't great. The title track is well written and well sung. It's an amazing ballad-like blues song. I also enjoy Love Never Treats Me Right and Locomotive. I feel the best track on this set, though, is Ain't Nobody's Business. It's pure blues and shows us just how much talent this lady has.

I recommend this to blues fans, Bonnie Raitt fans, Janis Joplin fans, and just fans of artist who really can sing. Susan Tedeschi is a superstar and should continue to get more recognition from the public especially with a bigger record label. She is currently writing and recording songs for her new album. I hope she takes her time. I saw improvement with Just Won't Burn from Better Days. I want to see improvement again. But it's difficult to improve on perfection!!!

I feel strange about reviewing an album that's been in constant rotation on my stereo for years, but I realize that there are still a lot of people who haven't caught on to Susan Tedeschi's talent. When I first saw Tedeschi perform live, I got the same chill down my spine that I got when I initially heard other female singers who, at one time or another, have made the Boston-Cambridge area their musical home - Robin Lane, Aimee Mann, Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin, Semenya McCord, Rebecca Parris, Laurie Sargent, and, yes, Bonnie Raitt. Whether it was their voice, their songwriting, their musicianship, their unique interpretations of old standards, or a combination of the above, each of them brought something new to the music world. With Tedeschi, it's that voice! Her guitar work may never become more than pedestrian (for some superb blues guitar, check out Deb Coleman), but to discount the beauty and strength of her voice because her guitar licks aren't there is comparable to dismissing the genius of a Van Gogh painting because his signature was a plain old "Vincent." This album is where it all began and it's a wonderful beginning to what is sure to be a long and rewarding musical career.

I first heard Ms. Tedeschi when she opened for B.B. King in his year 2000 tour. What a night! I happen to be a big fan of the blues, and when I heard those performers, I was more than impressed! But Ms. Tedeschi stood out from the rest, because she expresses such a great amount of talent. You can tell that she loves her work! She can really play the blues, and her voice is just the icing on the cake!
It's hard to say which song on this album is my favorite. It's like trying to decide which one of your children you love more. But I will say that her interpretation of "Hound Dog" is not one to be missed. I would also have to say that the instrumental work on "You're On My Hair" is great! Not to mention, she can play a mean slide guitar! (When you hear "Locomotive" you'll know what I mean). I recommend this album to anyone who has a deep respect for the blues, you won't be disappointed!

I don't know what the complaining is about; all artists evolve and evolution means having the guts to get out in front of people while trying new things. I love Susan's sound and it's really good to hear a woman wailing the blues so melodically.

When I am having a bad-guitar day and feel like pulling a Pete Townsend all over my bedroom, I remember Jonny Lang's words (Frontline; winter 99), Susan, are you listening?..."Don't let anyone else but you tell you what's right....it's easy to let other people's comments influence you.....remember, you are the only person that matters." Thanks Jonny, you're a doll. Rock on momma!

I got to see Susan long before any radio station exposed her. It was at a Blues festival and she played before Lonnie Brooks. The sad thing was after Susan played, Lonnie Brooks could hardly raise an applause. I don't think her CD's measure up to her live performances by any stretch of the imagination. But live, she is as powerful as any singer, pure, raw blues.

I love Susan Tedeschi and was thrilled to get a hold of this "pre-fame" CD. It's a great CD too. Full of powerful blues that are more reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt than of Janis Joplin.

The production on this CD is really pretty spotty. The first track "It's Up to You" has a very muddy quality to it and "It Hurts Me Too" is painful to listen to on headphones with the mixing from left to right channels constantly moving. Most of the tracks however, are adequately mixed.

All in all, this is well worth listening to if you're a Tedeschi fan, but her following CD's are far superior to this one. She just keeps getting better.

First I heard Susan Tedeschi's CD, Just Won't Burn, and I was hooked, then I went in search of everything she's recorded, and found Better Days. I love it! She rocks you hard, and breaks your heart, and moves your soul. You know how Marilyn Monroe could where a potato sack and still looked great? Well, it doesn't matter what Susan Tedeschi sings, it's all great! She's up there with the big leagues, like Stevie!

I saw Susan perform for the the first time recently and was blown away. She literally brought the house down. She is evolving into one the greatest female blues artists. I bought Better Days after getting Just Won't Burn. I have to say I like this one just as much if not more. This seems to chill me out, from the first tune It's Up to You all the way to Ain't Nobody's Business. She can be compared to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Rait definitely but she is unique. Listen to this Cd several times and it will grow on you to the point that it is just what soothes the soul. She does a mean Hound Dog here!! I've been avidly collecting blues for years and rarely does someone this new on the scene get my attention. I hear she may have a Cd out this coming summer. I am hoping!

My husband and I have the same taste of music so when he told me about hearing Ms. Tedeschi voice on our local radio station, I knew it would be something worth listening to . We bought both CDs and spent the next 6 hours playing them both over and over. Now we can't wait for her next release. She is what blues is all about.

I listened to her second album first, not this one. Thus, this has less impact, but still truck 7 "better days" is really amazing! It's so cool. Yet, I can say that the second album is much greater. Check my anther review of her second album. If you have comments, drop a mail @ nakahashi@hotmail.com