Percy Strother – A Good Woman Is Hard To Find

Track Listing:
1. A Good Woman Is Hard to Find - 3:09   2. Your Fool Done Woke Up - 2:58   3. Somebody Else Is Steppin' In - 3:29   4. Made a Good Woman Go Bad - 3:44   5. If You Don't Love Me When I Want It - 3:09   6. Givin' It up for Your Love - 3:17   7. She Keeps Me Satisfied - 2:44   8. I'm Falling in Love With You, Baby - 2:52   9. Can't Let You Go - 3:15   10. Someday I Will Be over You - 3:48   11. Down Home Blues - 4:42   12. Will You Be My Part-Time Lady? - 2:34   13. Shade Tree Mechanic - 3:12   14. Love Is Growing Cold - 3;45   15. Grits Ain't Groceries - 3:31

Personnel:
Percy Strother (vocals, guitar on 1,14) , Mike Deutch (piano & organ) , Virgil Nelson ( (organ on 1,4,8,10,12,14) , Billy Franze (guitar on 1,2,4,5,8-10,12,14) , John Ganapes (guitar on 3,6,11,13,15) , Don Breedlove (guitar on 6,11) , Jon Gunvaldson (guitar on 2,7) , Luke Kramer (guitar on 9,10) , James Smith (guitar on 2,7) , John Lindberg (bass on 1,4,5,8-10,12,14) , Dave Miller (bass on 2,7) , Steve York (bass on 3,6,11,13,15) , Curtis Blake (harmonica on 8) , Laurie Glaser (trumpet on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Joe Cosgrove (trumpet on 3,6,15), Thodd Matheson (trumpet on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Kevin Nord (trumpet on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Ethan Freier (trombone on 3,6,15) , Jeff Rinear (trombone on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Dennis Landeen (saxophone on 6) , Daniel McGee (saxophone on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Paul Strickland (saxophone on 3,3,15) , Pete Whitman (saxophone on 1,4,5,9,10,12,14) , Rob Stupka (drums on 1,4,5,8-10,12,14) , Michael Hunt (drums on 3,6,11,13,15) , Maurice Stevenson (drums on 2,7) , Klara Conners (background vocals on 5,9) , Beverly Demps (background vocals on 5,9) , Phyllis Rutter (background vocals on 5,9)

Reviews:

1. www.mnblues.com - Ray Stiles
"I'm a bluesman baby..." a line from Percy Strother's new release "The Highway Is My Home" aptly describes this outstanding Minneapolis blues singer. Percy Strother has been an active participant in the Minneapolis blues scene since the mid 1970's. He was born 50 years ago in Vicksburg, Mississippi and grew up absorbing the rich musical heritage of that area. The title cut off his first CD, "A Good Woman is Hard to Find" brought him national attention and deservedly so. He combines traditional blues with soul and R & B influences and has a strong, deep voice that is a pleasure to listen to.
The "Good Woman is Hard to Find" CD has 15 tracks and 50 minutes of soulful blues that I found very easy to listen to. All but 5 of the songs were written by Percy and demonstrate his fine song writing and arranging abilities as well as his superb guitar playing and wonderful voice. I especially liked his soulful If You Don't Love Me When I Want It which reminded me of some of Joe Louis Walker's rhythm and blues styled songs. The CD liner notes quote Lazy Bill Lucas as saying "Mercy, Mr. Percy!" after hearing him sing. I hear hints of Eddie Hinton, Otis Redding, Little Buster Forehand and Muddy Waters in his voice that make it a very appealing listening experience.
Another fine song on the CD, "Somebody Else Is Steppin' In" by Denise LaSalle can also be found on Buddy Guy's 1994 Silvertone release "Slippin' In." Both are mighty fine interpretations -- from the heartfelt singing to the great guitar picking. Two other favorites on the CD are "Made A Good Woman Go Bad" and "Can't Let You Go" which features some stinging lead guitar work. Although Percy doesn't play guitar on all of the CD tracks he does take center stage with his fine guitar playing in his live shows.