Teeny Tucker Trying To Keep the Blues Alive

Keep the Blues Alive melds both her blues and soul music influences, and ably showcases her gospel roots, too, as evidenced in songs such as "I Wish We Could Go Back" and "Hush/Keep the Blues Alive." Many of the songs are autobiographical, as one listen to "Make Room for Teeny" and "Daughter to the Blues" will attest; and on "John Cephas," she plays special tribute to the late gospel and blues man of the song's title, whose Piedmont style continues to influence countless musicians. On that tune, as well as the album's closer, "Respect Me and the Blues," Teeny shows that she can get "down-home" with the best of the country blues artists.

Teeny Tucker was born into blues royalty: her late father was rhythm and blues singer Tommy Tucker, whose song, "Hi-Heel Sneakers," not only became a huge hit for him, but was covered by scores of other artists and continues to be a live show standard for blues and rock bands to this day.