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New Review for "Little Red Wagon"
March 12, 2018

        I thought I'd spend time on the last snow day "catching up on my listening," so I broke out some of the CDs that were on my "to hear" list. I won't claim to have gotten that far--partly because (as is my wont) I started playing the same one or two almost obsessively. Anyway one of the day's favorites (and STILL in heavy rotation) was Elly Wininger's most recent record, LITTLE RED WAGON--which, contrary to the old saying, scarcely needs any "fixing". Elly was inducted into the NYS Blues Hall of Fame a few years back, and deservedly so. But like so many other favorites of mine (including, say, Bonnie Raitt and Tracy Nelson), she is not limited to any one genre. As her self-penned liner notes indicate: "LITTLE RED WAGON" is my interpretation and integration of the country blues, folk, a bit of Cajun, a touch of country, some R&B spice..." And I'd add some beautiful balladeering. I dare anyone to listen to her gorgeous and very moving, "For Fred" (which when I first heard her perform it live, I assumed was called "Thank You For Getting Me To Dance") and NOT choke up at least a little. Beautifully produced and packaged, with an extensively detailed booklet of lyrics, photos and notes, and featuring an array of talented musicians accompanying her (including back-up vocals by her fellow "Cupcakes," Janice Hardgrove Kollar and Lyndon Hardy, and THAT's a blend I'm always all too glad to hear). Too early in the year to announce my album of the year, but this will be in my Top 10 fer sher.

~Gregory Callahan, Music Curator, Hyde Park Library