Latest Reviews, for "Like a Flower" Wow, - I'm reviewing CD's tonight and this one kicks butt... she is great! Styling, writing and voice, impressive. Kay Clements, KHNS-FM, Haines, Alaska ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ California native Kaye Bohler has a dynamic, powerful vocal range that is perfectly suited to the classic blues, soul, and R & B that she sings on her latest CD, "Like A Flower." These ten original tracks take you back to that splendid "San Francisco Sound" of the Sixties, with splashes of Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, and jazz greats Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday. Throw in guest guitarists, Robben Ford and Tommy Castro, themselves no strangers to that Bay Area sound make this one fine listen! Songs of love and relationships are the common thread of this set, through the eyes of a woman who's had experience with both the good and the bad. The lead off cut finds her extolling the virtues of a good lover, " He Helps Me," then she rocks out in the same vein with "Got A Good Man," opting for a "mover and a shaker" over a "moneymaker." A muted sax intro leads into the torch like ballad, "My Heart Beats For Him," while the horn section adds fuel to the strong vibe of "How Do I Get There." Kaye realizes it's time to cut her losses when she realizes that her love is "Wasted On You." She has a hard choice to make between "Two Things At Once," where one lover "pays the bills" while another "gives me thrills." We had two favorites, too. The pressures of everyday life leave Kaye in a "Constant State Of The Blues," while a lover who prefers alcohol over Kaye's lovin' touch drives her into "Another Man's Arms." Big and brassy, bold and sassy, Kaye Bohler is poised to set the blues world on its collective ear with her dynamic voice and penchant for classic blues-flavored soul and R & B. Check out "Like A Flower" and ENJOY!!!! Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ To describe artists names of comparisons are made up which are over the top. Kaye Bohler, for instance is called “Rhythm and Blues Singing Baby of Soul”, “The White Tina Turner” and “Power House Blues Woman and Entertainer”. All powerful significant, or maybe therefore meaningless, terms. I think we should better listen to her to determine if she really is worth what is said about her. Last week I found her latest CD “Like A Flower” on my doormat. It is Kaye's fourth CD and it took six years since her last one. What attracted my immediate attention was the excellent care of the inlay. A folding paper with all lyrics and participating musicians. About those lyrics: all ten of them were written by Kaye Bohler herself, for that she already earned her first points. The album is produced by Tony Lufrano, who also play piano and organ on all the tracks. Tommy Castro and Robben Ford are the guest musicians. Okay, let the music speak, the imaginary needle lowers itself in the imaginary groove and from the first tone of “He Helps Me” the flexible, soulful voice of Kaye stand out. A real soul number with juicy Hammond- and sparkling guitar licks. “How Do I Get There” is an old school soul song too with guitar that remind of Robert Cray and an old fashioned horn accompaniment. The band provides a tight base, over which Kaye's voice has an rhythmic of its own, which creates a wonderful tension. “Wasted On You” is a typical 70's soul song with beautiful tearing sax. A real blues is “Constant State Of The Blues”, a very personal song in which Kaye sings about the sorrow and misery she encounters due to the illness of her mother. Everyone who has a love done who is sick or who has died recognizes the situation she sings about. It is my personal favorite. This is followed by the lighter “I Got To Know”, a fast blues shuffle, in which Tommy Castro contributes. The presented vocals are jazzy, the horns, a tearing saxophone solo by Nancy Wright and the fierce guitar of Castro complete the song. A lovely song. If “An Another Man” is a autobiographical song than her (ex-)husband should sit down and think. She sings she can take quite a lot, unfaithfulness and whatnot, but “it was your drinking that drove me to another man's arms”. A typical 70ies soul number, including wah-wah guitar and Latin percussion. The soulful “Two Things At Once” follows it. The shuffle “Got A Good Man” floats on the accompaniment of the horns and Hammond organ. A nice detail is the 'surf' guitar solo a la Dick Dale. The following song is the relaxed, jazzy “My Heart Beats For Him” before the last song, the title track “Like A Flower” sets in. A surprising begin by Tamas Marius on flute. The funky rhythm and finger picking guitar of Robben Ford immediately give the song a positive disposition. The text gives a positive outlook on the future as well. In the lyrics of the last song you will hear “I’m like a flower, about to bloom”. Nonsense, as far as I am concerned. The flower, named Kaye Bohler blossoms for some time now, but it will certainly keep on bringing us color and beauty. My conclusion about this album “Like A Flower” is that Kaye Bohler is unique in the music world. A singer with a beautiful and flexible voice, who writes her own, personal songs who renders them on a very high level. The album is filled with present-day blues and soul, and she uses the rich tradition of Chicago Blues, soul and funk well. And to remind you of my opening sentence. A comparison with Tina Turner does not fit, therefore Kaye's voice is not raw enough, but much more flexible. And the other remarks? Ah well, listen yourself.... _________________________________________________________________________________________ We just got the Kaye Bohler CD. Man I just love it. We will be playing it this Sunday when we do our 3 hour Ladies Show. Take care, Mr. & Mrs. V Blues On the Move, KPFT 90.1 FM, Houston TX