Emma Wilson

A short but perfectly formed tribute to one of the true giants of the Blues canon, Emma Wilson’s 'A Spoonful of Willie Dixon' serves up a Soul-soaked, Blues-brewed masterclass in interpretation and feel. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill cover album - Wilson and her band breathe fresh life into each track with arrangements that respect the originals while offering something distinctively her own.

The opener, 'Spoonful', leans into a rockier groove than you might expect, with the rhythm section of Mark Barrett and Ian Leese locking in tight and setting a bold tone. It’s a spirited take that segues effortlessly into the languid roll of 'Good to the Last Drop', where guitarist Nik Svarc delivers some fine soloing.

The album then pivots gracefully into deeper Blues territory. 'I Can’t Quit You Baby' brings the emotional heat, elevated by Bennett Holland’s spiritual Hammond organ playing - a texture that drips with authenticity. 'Wang Dang Doodle' keeps the engine purring with a rollicking, New Orleans-flavoured piano drive, before the band crashes joyfully into the boisterous and brassy stomp of 'I Want to Be Loved'.

But it’s the closer, 'It Don’t Make Sense (You Can’t Make Peace)', that delivers the album’s emotional heart. Wilson’s plaintive, aching vocal is nothing short of breathtaking - backed by a reflective piano that recalls the moodiness of Alannah Myles’ 'Black Velvet', yet with a deeper, more soulful resonance.

At just six tracks, 'A Spoonful of Willie Dixon' may be brief, but it’s rich, thoughtful and beautifully played throughout.

Ivan De Mello