"God Bless The Go-Go's"



Review by Ed McArdle

13 songs of pure tuneful excellence. After numerous listens I have yet to

uncover one weak link among this unique and varied collection. Catchy

single Unforgiven (co-written by admitted fan Billie Joe Armstrong of

Green Day) holds true to typical Go-Go's fashion.  If  Charlotte Chaffey's

guitar chord after Belinda Carlisle sings the telling line: "Confessing every sin

doesn't make me a saint, even though it's obvious I've changed" doesn't

give you goose bumps, then it is time to give the doctor a call.



The hook-driven Stuck In My Car will have you singing along and perhaps

feeling compelled to dance like the glory days of yore.  Melodic Here You

Are and Apology are the new millennium Go-Go's with a definite shout out

to the 80's.  The hitlist goes on providing us what we have come to know and

love from these girls (er, women).



The lyrics are superb with the autobiographical content of closer Daisy

Chain ("Punk rock girls with some noise to make Hollywood 1978") and the

thought-provoking knock on supermodels of today Throw Me A Curve,

featuring the telling line "Microthin is way too in...I'd rather be a pin-up girl

than zero size," serve as well-composed standouts.



Last year guitarist Jane Wiedlin got her rocking side out with the

excellent solo offering Kissproof World. Now reunited with a successful

solo artist in her own right, Carlisle, and her distinct and

better-than-ever vocals, Chaffey's guitar, Kathy Valentine's bass and the

drumming of Gina Shock, these older and undoubtedly wiser Go-Go's are

better than ever, providing a more mature sound that still rocks.



What a better and glorious way to begin the summer than with  some fun

music!  So roll down your car windows and go for a cruise.  These

"Sweethearts of Pop" are back.

Sharrie Williams - Photo by Tom Burt

Sharrie Williams: Live at Wiseguys



by Mark Leffler



The first thing one notices when glancing at the cover of the new

Sharrie William's CD is the eyes. A poet once described such eyes as

"those of one that has seen too much and forgotten too little." They are also,

fortunately, the eyes that launched a thousand hits.



But hey, the main thing you notice when you slip the CD into your music

machine is that the Lady sounds happy. And when the daily news is filled

with Tel Aviv bombings, the death of Dennis the Menace's creator and the

like, well, it's just nice to jam out to some righteous grooves. Blues.

And make no mistake, this is the bluuuueeees, baby. The Real Thing.



As she launches into "What Kind of Man is This?", the second song on the

CD, you hear the voice of a true blueswoman.



The blues is not exactly the easiest music to listen to or sing, let alone

write. One must dig into the deepest darkest parts of the soul, consider

life, the universe and everything bad and mean that has ever happened in

one's life. It's a lonely journey and some never return. But those who do

leave some rather interesting and joyous messages.



In the words of the late Marc Domsic, "I digress." The CD "Sharrie

Williams: Live at Wiseguys" (released on Faith Records), was recorded at

Wiseguys in Saginaw, Michigan. And in addition to the awesome Ms. Williams

the release features her amazing band The Wiseguys.



(A brief aside: The CD includes a rare gem. The third track is a song by

Alanis Morrissette titled "All Cried Out")



The back cover features the Lady her own bad self as well as the nattily

attired young gents in the band. She's holding a stylish white hat.

The CD is an eclectic blend of rock and blues, gospel and Cajun rhythms,

in the best authentic Blues tradition. Everything but the water from the

kitchen sink, and that's pretty darn funky at times. There's even a cover

of Prince's masterpiece "Purple Rain", included just before the most

important part of her CD.



Any lady who sings the blues has a sad, sad story to tell. It's the old

times...the bad old times...it's blood for blood and buckets of it. Real

Old Testament stuff. But that's not where it ends. True blues is about

redemption and that's what this is all about. Salvation is possible, she

sings...and it comes at a cost.



Sharrie Williams: Live at Wiseguys is available at area music

stores. Visit her website at www.sharriewilliams.com. Email her at

fredinna@juno.com.

Sharrie Williams:  Real Woman



Music lovers who find Ms. Williams' soulful music as interesting and

soothing as a sip of herbal tea will be grateful to learn that her long

anticipated studio release "Sharrie Williams: Real Woman is finally available.

Much like her live performances, this studio CD is at once a tribute to

God and also the feminine wisdom that has inspired and healed since the

beginning of time.



Recorded in Chicago, and produced and mixed in England, this CD is

dedicated to the late "Marion Williams Jelks", Ms. Williams mother, "a

woman of faith, drive & determination, a woman of humility" and the true

source of inspiration for not only Ms. Williams and her local following,

but lost and confused souls of every race, creed and color.



It is easy, at times, for music critics, professional scholars and easy

listeners to mistakenly label such music "gospel", "inspirational", or

"blues" (which they certainly are). Still one wonders whether such terms

aren't limiting potential audiences from finding the Truth and Wisdom that

came with the life and times Ms. Williams sings about so well.



Ms. Williams is supported by a fine group of musicians including Saginaw's

own Mike Brush on piano, James Owens on guitar, Mark Bryant's drumming,

the bass talents of Marco Franco and harmony background vocals by Liz Everett.

Many songs co-written by Ms. Williams are featured such as "Princess of

the Blues", "I've Got to Find Me a Mojo", and the eponymous title track. There

are also three collaborations with "Ron Prince", two with James Owens, a

Delbert McClinton song titled "Blues as Blues", a few compositions by Mr.

Brush and the Alanis Morissette classic "All Cried Out".



Not only can the lady sing and make a joyful noise unto the Lord, she has

created a lasting musical offering that will be treasured for years to

come.  Much thanks should be given.



A word to the wise.



"Sharrie Williams: Real Woman" is also available wherever Faith

Records are sold. It is also offered at her website. For bookings contact

Pete Crawford (989-777-4350. Sharrie Williams and the Wiseguys perform

each "Blue Monday" at "Wiseguys", 3504 State Street, Saginaw, Michigan, which

Ms. Williams calls her "home base".