TBGB Pick of the Week: January 2, 2012

Bettie Murphy Draper

From the Faith Walker Records CD Making Me Over (2011)
http://www.taxi.com/faithwalker

Vicksburg, Mississippi’s Bettie Murphy Draper delivers “Hannah’s Song” as a traditional gospel blues.  While the lyrics are gospel, the musical emphasis is definitely electric blues, complete with three line verses, stinging guitar licks and strutting bass and drums.  Her shouting vocals evocative of a Memphis street-corner blues singer, Draper tells the story of Hannah, who was without child until Samuel was born.

“Dry your weeping eyes,” Draper sings, “your blessing’s on the way.”  In so doing, she infers to the listener that if Hannah’s request was granted, so can yours be.  Can I get an amen?