SAMANTHA FISH // PAPER DOLL LIVE // ALBUM REVIEW

I witnessed Samantha Fish playing an almost identical set at the Red Rooster Festival in England in 2025. I can only say she is a magnetic, spectacular performer on stage. Fish has a presence that holds attention in a fantastic way through her image, vocals, and the supreme feel of her guitar playing. She has it all; her band are damn good as well. The music translates quite brilliantly to this live album, leaving the listener in jaw-dropping awe!

This album kicks off with a fierce cover of the MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’, which is awash with psychedelic organ; you can hear that Fish means business, and you are instantly hooked. The title track of the quite excellent ‘Paper Doll’ album follows, allowing our performer to get a bit sassy and playful in her delivery. Samantha asks the following question next: ‘Can You Handle The Heat’? Her guitar is piercing the venue with dramatic effect. If you are getting hot now, wait for the sultry ecstasy of the Jay Hawkins classic ‘I Put A Spell On You’, her voice is divine as it teases and plays with your mind. She is not fishing for compliments, but she knows she has you in the palm of her hand and under her control, just like the notes that flow from her instrument.

The music flows with raw Blues and Soul, her mastery of her instruments is clear as she effortlessly switches from her Gibson SG to a Stogie Blues Box where slide is deployed, her Delaney 512 is also used for slide, a Fender Jaguar is showcased on cleaner Rock songs. Together, they give Fish the opportunity to showcase her talent like few can. Her touring band features Ron Johnson on bass, Jamie Douglass on drums, and Mickey Finn on keys & organ. These musicians performed on the studio version of ‘Paper Doll’, their contribution making this live album so stunning.

As an album, it is the diversity and twists that capture attention; the slow blues workout from ‘Fortune Teller’ is a highlight, as it builds in tempo and drops to a whisper before exploding into a racing rhythm. ‘You Better Be Lonely’ adds a light, funky feel, the repetitive riff ingraining itself into the brain. ‘Dream Girl’ is quite epic and really showcases the vocalist’s gentler feel and vibe, with the keys adding a serene nuance as the song reaches its epic conclusion; the interplay between Finn and Fish is mesmerising.

‘Paper Doll Live’ is the performer’s first official live record; it will take some topping, such is its awesomeness. The penultimate number ‘Rusty Razor’ is full of brooding power as Fish again delights with her dexterity; this leaves us with closer ‘Black Wind Howlin’ and at eight minutes long, it is show-stopping class. The band get introduced to huge cheers and acclaim. Kansas-born, then New Orleans-based Fish is a vivid, vibrant international artist who needs to be heard and seen. What more can I say other than add this album to your collection, and you will be hooked! Live albums don’t come much better than this.

Samantha Fish will release Paper Doll Live via Rounder Records on Friday, June 12^th.

Review: Paul Mace

DIGITAL TRACKLIST

01. Kick Out The Jams – Live
02. Paper Doll – Live

03. Can Ya Handle The Heat? – Live
04. I Put A Spell On You – Live
05. I’m Done Runnin’ – Live
06. Lose You – Live
07. Sweet Southern Sounds – Live
08. Bulletproof – Live
09. Miles To Go – Live
10. Fortune Teller – Live
11. Better Be Lonely – Live
12. Dream Girl – Live
13. Don’t Say It – Live
14. Poor Black Mattie – Live
15. Rusty Razor – Live
16. Black Wind Howlin’ – Live

CD TRACKLIST

01. Kick Out The Jams – Live
02. Paper Doll – Live
03. Can Ya Handle The Heat? – Live
04. I’m Done Runnin’ – Live
05. Lose You – Live
06. Sweet Southern Sounds – Live
07. Bulletproof – Live
08. Miles To Go – Live
09. Fortune Teller – Live
10. Better Be Lonely – Live
11. Dream Girl – Live
12. Don’t Say It – Live
13. Poor Black Mattie – Live
14. Rusty Razor – Live
15. Black Wind Howlin’ – Live