Artist:     Betty Fox Band

Album:     Peace In Pieces

Label:     Foxycavanaugh Productions

Release Date:     01.10.2020

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The promise in the Betty Fox Band lies in natural talents, and in the lady’s surprisingly mature soul. Only 23 years have passed since Fox twirled around her family’s St. Petersburg, Florida living room as a four year-old hambone. That sassiness has now blossomed into a firestorm of feeling. On Peace In Pieces, Fox capitalizes on her ingrained penchant for Southern country and gospel music by displaying it in vivid hues of deep, funky rhythm and blues, and incredible soul.

But the blond bombshell singer and her tight little band did receive significant boosts in players, and place, for the album. Legendary pianists Spooner Oldham and Clayton Ivey are among the guests that join Fox on guitar, lead guitarist Josh Nelms, bassist Barry Williams, and drummer Chris Peet on the 14 songs, all cut at the South’s musical church of Fame Studios, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Fox would likely have been just as convincing regardless, her mezzo voice conveying a near-perfect balance of grease, grit, and elegance.

“Green Light” lights the album up with a bright beat and a confident attitude. Fox and her band are jubilant in announcing their intent. “Winter’s Cold” then finds them settled in, locked in a room full of impassioned melodies. “Marie” escalates the feeling even further, every one of Fox’s heartfelt words carried by a velvety groove pumped with brass, and crackling with fire and class.

Backing vocalists accent a performance by Fox that places her at the gates of gold. Adding to the huge impact, Nelms tosses off an understated guitar solo, brilliant in its tone and placement. The same cannot be said for “Let Go or Be Dragged,” the only slight misstep here, Fox seeming to be too intent in her emulation of Beth Hart. The song does connect, but more so for those unfamiliar with Hart. Cleverly titled and written, “Peace in Pieces” sways and rocks wonderfully, and in “Rising Strong,” Fox sings gospel injected with the blues as if she’s commanded stages far longer than she has.

“Fireflies,” flickering near the conclusion, may be the album’s pinnacle. Amid a slow burning, night-shaded melody, Fox soothes and pleads and ultimately, persuades. These 2015 International Blues Challenge finalists have delivered a third album that’s a charmer, and it should prove to be a major breakthrough.

—Tom Clarke