Diane Durrett

"Durrett ... has become one of the city’s most endearing vocalists with a sound that owes much to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Bramlett." - Arts ATL

"Soul Suga’ fizzes like cork-popping champagne, but Durrett’s vocals also soar to cathedral heights." - Georgia Music Magazine

 DIANE DURRETT & SOUL SUGA LIVE 

"Ain't nobody gone blind looking at the bright side" sings Diane on the opening number here, a fine example of the positive nature of soul music, and there's no doubt that's what is on offer here. Recorded over two show s at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia in July 2017, this CD presents singer and guitarist Diane backed by a tight six-piece band including two backing vocalists and supplemented by the funky trombone playing of Wes Funderburke, and also violinist Kerren Berz. There are several spoken tracks as Diane reminisces or involves the audience, but they help in creating the atmosphere. Some of the set is firmly in soul mode, of the 60s and 70s variety, whilst other tracks tend towards a singer-songwriter approach (particularly around the middle of the show) and the gospel-tinged southern rock of the early 70s, though 'Woohoo' is a fine and fun blues. Influences seem to be along the lines of Aretha, Janis Joplin, Gladys Knight, Irma Thomas and maybe Sheryl Crow, and 'Don't That Bring You Back' references a couple of her funk favourites but this is very much Diane's show, and it is entertaining, thought-provoking, danceable, and above all involving. 

Flying Shoes Blog ~ Norman Darwen