To say Rachel Fields is a strong vocalist would be misnomer. She’s in the ranks of the best…Aretha, Billie, Etta James, Bessie Smith to modern-day Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor and Bonnie Raitt. ”

Peter Read

Brick Fields Blues Habit Review 

From the first note the music and feel of this record draws the listener in . Of course, Rachel’s voice tends to do that anyway, but when you toss in extremely tight musicianship you have a real winner. 

To say Rachel Fields is a strong vocalist would be misnomer. She’s in the ranks of the best…Aretha, Billie, Etta James, Bessie Smith to modern-day Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor and Bonnie Raitt. Her emotionally charged vocals are like nothing else. Her ability to convey the meaning of every song with an emotional depth that is unmatched makes her a truly unique world-class talent. 

Her rendition of Tony White’s “Polk Salad Annie” is the most exciting version of this tune I’ve ever heard.. and I’ve seen Tony and Elvis do it in person. 

Kicking off with their own version of “This Train”, Brick Fields owns the traditional tune as their own. 

Following it up with Little Brother Montgomery’s “Vicksburg Blues”, complete with Dixieland elements, the cd steps up the stairs one step at a time. 

The list of various players on the album is as long as a well-rope. 

Kevin Bonner plays the drums; John Davies and Vince Turner handle the bass; Larry Brick, Jude Gold, Isayah Warford and Rachel Fields do the guitar work; Danny Timms contributes all the excellent keyboards; Ben Sass does harp; while Rachel Fields is a hard-core blues vocalist, she is joined throughout by Rain Equine, Ocie Fisher, Tori Rudolph, Kevin Bonner, Jim Mills and Andy Green; Rachel contributes the flute; Rick Salonen does the clarinet and Jeff Grey blows in the trumpet. 

Blues Habit was recorded at Crisp Studio in Fayetteville and quite frankly could have easily been done at Muscle Shoals or Abby Road. It’s that good. 

Engineering was by Darren Crisp (who, with this record, in my mind, obviously is channeling George Martin). 

The album was produced in Arkansas by Andy Green. 

Please visit www.BrickFieldsMusic.com for details and to order “Blues Habit, and to connect with this excellent album and band . 

Peter Read / Nightflying Mag 4/6/2017