Sony Music Hall New York, NY
Contact: monica@thinkpress.net
Web: anapopovic.com
Players: Ana Popovic, lead vocals, guitar; Buthel, bass; Jeremy Thomas, keyboards; Kevin Jones, drums; Traci Nelson, backing vocals; Skyler Jordan, backing vocals
Ana Popovic is quite the force to be reckoned with. Under the umbrella of rock, her unique blend of contemporary blues, soul, and jazz combined with her powerful but refined vocals come together in a way that keeps you riveted.
Nominated for seven Blues Music awards, Bruce Springsteen has referred to her as “one helluva guitar-player.” She has also shared the stage with acts like B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, and Gary Clark Jr. Though her forte is her guitar playing, the songs and performance all meld into one cohesive statement.
Sometimes sassy, sometimes cynical, the songs are always direct and unsentimental in their message. In “Slow Dance,” a would-be suitor sets his sights on his mark but as the song admonishes: “It’s just a slow dance/not a romance/you know you’ve got one chance/it’s just a slow dance.” “California Chase” is a look at a promised land that often disappoints; a place where people go to chase their dreams but often fall prey to the dark side: “You better hustle for a living/skid row is unforgiving/when they just won’t go your way/they change colors like the sunset sky/the city of angels but the devil’s alive…California Chase.” Sometimes her songs are fueled by, as she states, “angry moments,” but they always maintain an objectivity that doesn’t get swept up in over-the-top emotion.
While Popovic never fully relinquishes the spotlight, everyone in the band still has the chance to shine. The way the elements are woven together never upstages what other band members contribute. Their timing is impeccable, and the grooves are right in the pocket.
A refreshing aspect of her artistry is her refusal to kowtow to what she refers to as “the rock police” and “blues police,” who demand a certain amount of purity to be considered fully accepted in their genre. She describes her writing as more of a conduit to her live shows which is her main musical focus. An added plus in the set might have been to hear the band’s take on a big cover in their genre alongside like-minded songs.
It’s evident that exhaustive touring has paid off for Popovic and her band. They are not only top shelf musicians, but they understand how to keep an audience engaged. Ana Popovic might serve as an inspiration especially to women who might want to follow in her footsteps.
