In My Sweet Time

Roxy launched her Blues career in the 80s, when she quickly became known for her exciting live performances at clubs, concert halls and festivals throughout the U.S. and abroad. These performances secured her reputation as "the real deal" and "NEW YORK BLUES QUEEN.'' In recent years Roxy has appeared on the concert bill with Rod Piazza, Shamekia Copeland, Leon Russell, Marcia Ball, John Mayall, Saphire, Hubert Sumlin, Gatemouth Brown, Koko Taylor, The Black Crowes, and a host of others. In 2007, Roxy and her band performed at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival, where they headlined two stages, including the Lake Geneva Blues Cruise. As a recording artist, Roxy has performed, produced and written the material for her four highly acclaimed CDs: HI HEEL BLUES (Monad Records), ROXY PERRY, NEW YORK BLUES QUEEN (BluePerry Hill Records), BACK IN BLUESVILLE (BluePerry Hill Records), and her most recent CD, IN MY SWEET TIME. Music from these CDs has been added to classic female Blues artist lists on radio stations throughout the world. In 2006, BACK IN BLUESVILLE was awarded BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2007, Roxy was presented with the prestigious ARTIST OF THE YEAR award by the Westchester Arts Council, New York. Media recognition over the years has been extensive, from the syndicated radio program, PORTRAITS IN BLUE, to the most recent cover story and 6-page interview in the international magazine, BLUES ROCKS THE WORLD. Roxy's music continues to be heard regularly on MUSIC CHOICE, DIRECT TV, CLEAR CHANNEL and hundreds of radio stations, web and podcasts worldwide. Highlights for her previous release, ROXY PERRY, BACK IN BLUESVILLE include features on the legendary KING BISCUIT HOUR, and two-time designation as BLUESBREAKER OF THE WEEK on the HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO SHOW, hosted by Elwood Blues, along with many live performances and interviews on radio shows coast to coast. Reviewers have embraced Roxy's live and recorded work over the span of her career; her records consistently receiving stellar reviews in major publications such as Downbeat, Blues Revue, BluesMatters, Jazz Now! And BluesWax, among others. Roxy's third release on her label, BluePerry Hill Records, is a self-produced album entitled IN MY SWEET TIME. It is primarily original material at it's best, including Blues, R&B, Jump, Swing, Country, Jazz, Funk, Latin, Delta, Rock and Rockabilly. It also includes an original rendition of the Hank Williams, Sr. classic, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. IN MY SWEET TIME features Roxy's bandmembers: Roxy Perry - vocals / harp, Chris Vitarello - guitar, Mike Ventimiglia -keyboards, Bob Fusco - bass, Linda Geiger - drums, and special guest players: Matt Rae - guitar, Hiro Suzuki -guitar, Matt Baxter - dobro, Mike Marble - drums, and Frosty Lawson - horns. You can see live performance videos of Roxy and the band on YouTube Reviews of Roxy's new CD ''IN MY SWEET TIME'' are all glowing! IN MY SWEET TIME ROOTSVILLE, BELGIUM Review by MVS IN MY SWEET TIME is the third release on Roxy's label, BluePerry Hill Records, following NY BLUES QUEEN and BACK IN BLUESVILLE. Her first Blues release, HI HEEL BLUES, was on Monad Records. All four are great offerings, but for me, IN MY SWEET TIME stands out as the best. It's a ''showstopper'' of a disc by a Blues woman who manages well all related genres and Blues styles as a vocalist, composer and producer. All the numbers are consistently well supported by her selection of highly competent musicians, some of which are credited as co-writers on six of the songs. IN MY SWEET TIME is a Blues triumph from the Big Apple (NYC), which is not known for an abundance of Blues artist's offerings. But in fact, this CD is, without a doubt, a triumph coming from any city (and needs to be rewarded)! From the first cut, this CD is a knockout! The splendid piano intro of Mike Ventimiglia on ''Bed of Blues'', sets the mood, reminiscent of the piano stylings that supported the vocals of classic female artists of bygone eras. This sound may be nostalgic, but it undoubtedly translates into the contemporary. Not to be overlooked on this album, is the diversified performances of guitarist, Chris Vitarello. An example of his versatility is particularly reflected on the song ''Easy For You.'' It begins as a rhythm & blues number, but transforms into a Latin groove midway, where Vitarello (guitar) and Perry (harp) trade licks. It then returns to an R&B breakdown with the vocal take of an unwrapped soul. Roxy's Blues harp and voice are a powerful combination throughout. Roxy's adept use of varied styles, Blues, R&B, Jump, Swing, Country, Jazz, Funk, Latin, Delta, Rock and even Rockabilly, result in the highest level of music and add personality to her songs on this self-produced album. Roxy's production choices reflect this beautifully. In her jump /swing song, "Roadmaster," she pays tribute to the Andrews Sisters' harmonies on her background vocals . Roxy interprets The Hank Williams Sr. classic, ''I'm. So Lonesome I Could Cry,'' with a lot of soul on top of a pure country approach to the song - And it works perfectly. Guitarist, Matt Rae's Telecaster work so skillfully replicates the pedal steel sound that he just may stand up and be counted as the New Danny Gattin. For me, all twelve songs compete with each other for the 'best' position. If I had to pick one song to highlight above the rest it would be a difficult task. I would say they are all good, with a small preference for the traditional Blues numbers, like the title song, ''IN MY SWEET TIME'' (Hiro Suzuki /guitar), which pays tribute to the gospel style, and ''LET ME HAVE MY REST'' for it's beautifully executed resophonic Dobro (Matt Baxter), and of course, Roxy's vocal and harp, present an authentic Delta sound. The clincher, "NOT BAD ENOUGH," puts both our feet back in the twenties era with it's totally nostalgic take. Roxy sang and produced it replicating the 78 sound with the crackling needle-on-disc effect. You can just envision the logo of the little dog listening at the big horn speaker to ''His Master's Voice'' on the old Victrola. Nobody is going to be able to tear this CD from my hands. MVS | Rootsville Roxy Perry "in my sweet time" | Blueberry Publishing 3868 BLUESSOURCE.COM Roxy Perry has been dubbed as the New York Queen of the Blues but her vision is wide-ranging on this new CD as she works through twelve cuts of blues, jazz, R&B, country and rock overtones as she notes on the back cover. Overall, Perry's vocals are blues-infused despite the genre description. The first cut of "Bed Of Blues" has pianist Mike Ventimiglia nicely introducing the sultry melody as Perry's supple vocal phrasing pleads for reconciliation. She then launches into R&B influenced tunes, "Easy For You" with scorching vocals enhanced by a lavish harmonica exercise and "Roadmaster" with it's jump melody and big band groove. The only cover on the CD is "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (Hank Williams, Sr.) and Perry's aching vocals are sumptuous while the cry in her harmonica resonates with anguish. "Blues Comes To Call" is a swinging bluesy lament augmented by guitarist Hiro Suzuki's arresting solo. On "Goodbye Honey" Perry's rich vocals display an exquisite sense of timing. "Don't You Worry" is funky and the band's layers of sound propel Perry's repetitive exclamation "this ain't the worst day of my life." Perry's commanding harmonica playing enhances "That Night In Memphis." Returning to the blues, Perry is in her element on the last three tracks and leaves one wishing she had concentrated on more of this content. "Let Me Rest" features Matt Baxter on dobro and stomp box with Perry on vocals and harmonica-her enchanting vocals sizzle with emotion. The title cut "In My Sweet Time" has an alluring gospel-like melody and Perry's ethereal vocals meander from sweet to saucy. "Not Bad Enough" is reminiscent of Ma Rainey and is a duo with Perry on vocals and Ventimiglia on piano--Perry's burnished tone is outstanding on this classic blues sound. A formidable band and a singer who possesses a remarkable voice combine to make this a marvelous effort. Perry hit a home run on this one even though she took her sweet time and it was worth the wait. (C) 2008, Dorothy L. Hill BluesSource.com ROXY PERRY - IN MY SWEET TIME BAKER STREET / RADIO MENERGY 11/08 Roxy Perry a/k/a NY BLUES QUEEN has just released her fourth album titled ''IN MY SWEET TIME.' It is a different and more intimate album than her three previous productions. ''IN MY SWEET TIME'' oscillates between Funk, Jazz, Blues, Country and Rockabilly and merits more than one overall description. On one hand, she has managed to surround herself with the finest NY musicians. On the other, this album reveals, in 12 titles, all facets of her talents. It is anything but an ordinary Blues album. It is, in fact, an extraordinary reflection of Roxy's diverse musical roots. The singer / harp player does honorable tribute to Blues singers of the past and brings a fresh approach to Country Music's forefather, Hank Williams' ''I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY,' the only cover on the album. In 11 original compositions, Roxy immerses us into a musical universe without faults or lack of taste. Thanks to ''IN MY SWEET TIME'' we can say loud and clear that her title of ''NY BLUES QUEEN'' is intact. Xavier Boulanger Baker Street / Radio Menergy France Roxy Perry - In My Sweet Time Reviews 11/08 ROOTSTIME / Belgium This is Roxy Perry's fourth release. I still have Roxy's previous BACK IN BLUESVILLE, which was one of the first strong blues CDs I discussed here at Rootstime. IN MY SWEET TIME is also a self-produced album. As on the prior releases, she plays considerable blues harp on this disc. The title 'New York Blues Queen' that she has carried since her debut is sustained. Roxy has what the big blues mamas from the thirties to the fifties own; the power and authenticity of ladies such as Memphis Minnie, Victoria Spivey, Big Mama Thornton. She may not have had the 'blues life' of those ladies, but you see a bit of it in her songs. She even succeeds in the classic 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' by country music legend Hank Williams. She injects a perfect serving of blues to the song with so much conviction, that it immediately becomes one of the peaks of the CD... Undoubtedly, by far, the most beautiful song on this CD is 'Let Me Have My Rest', with only the dobro accompaniment of Matt Baxter. Roxy's powerful voice and harmonica bring pure blues of absolute top quality. The title song that immediately follows is a slow blues with high gospel quality which let's you hear that Roxy is at home in all markets. No matter if it's jazzy ballads, slow blues, rock & roll, swinging or funky blues songs, sensitive harmonica solos, dobro, slide or Memphis style grooves... she has them all to offer. And what's more, everything is top notch. Also very valid is the genuine sound of 'Not Bad Enough' that transports (the listener) through effects, such as a crackling 78-monophonic (record track) and old microphone quality, letting you hear that the titles of 'Blues Mama' and 'New York Blues Queen' are entirely deserved - You imagine yourself back 65 years in time, where you listen to your old trunk record player with discs of the best of the ladies. Have a 'Sweet Time' listening to this one. Freddy Celis ROOTSTIME / Belgium In My Sweet Time - Roxy Perry Blue Perry Hill Records 3868 2008 Mark Gresser ('Dr.Blues') | NYNJ BLUES COLLECTIVE Ms. Roxy Perry knows how to give us some Blues. A long career in the once smoky boites de nuit of NYC's once thriving blues scene, Roxy knows a thing or two about singing, writing blues, putting together a band and life itself. A simply swanky swinging band backs the verbal honey and phrasing the likes of Bessie Smith on, for example, "Not Bad Enough." Roxy visits all the precincts of blue from acoustic country a la "Let Me Have My Rest" to sweet low and soul as Marcia Ball gravel rasps through. In My Sweet Time with it's modern urban Blues, R&B and funky 'tude shows Perry's sure command of the genre and a virtuousic ability to bend your soul with her lush, smokily sensual pipes. This lady surely does the blues right and this disk is easily a "must have." Quality, talent and chops-what else does a gal need? '...In My Sweet Time. Strong horn lines, superlative lyrics, unexcelled vocals. Another unquestionable success for Roxy Perry and Blue Perry Hill Records.' Dave King CROSS HARP CHRONICLES.