ALLY VENABLE // MONEY AND POWER // ALBUM REVIEW

Let us start with a WOW! Ally Venable is the real deal; her Blues have seen her draw accolades since she was 14! This new release shows exactly why. As a singer-songwriter, she is simply at the forefront of the new wave of Blues.

Money and Power sees her express her many talents to great effect; she uses the Blues as a platform, but uses Funk & plenty of Soul to create her sound. She is a raw femme fatale, her music easily has crossover appeal, and should reach the masses. Venable is uncompromising in her approach.

Money And Power, has everything you could need, born in Kilgore Texas, she is perfectly placed to deliver, she is assisted by Isaac Pulido (drums), EJ Bedford (bass/keys), Kenny Greenberg (guitars), Rob Coreton (bass), Luke Mosely (keys), Tim Lauer (keys), Jorion Dawson (saxophone) and Jason Grant (trumpet), all topped off by the backing vocals of Rachel & Sarah Hambridge, together they have the sound which is simply the future of the Blues.

‘Brown Liquor’ is a shot-gun infused start, I’ll have a double please on the Rocks! ‘Maybe Someday’ tells a story of love, he might get another chance, someday, it is infused with keys and sax, rich vocals colour the emotion. The title track is forceful with a guitar solo that rips right through, it gathers speed like a train steaming downhill.

The twelve songs on offer utilise the full range of Venable’s voice, and the musicianship behind it enhances as it is given space to deliver emphatically. Moving on, ‘Unbreakable’ is a masterclass featuring Shemekia Copeland, together they trade vocals, women need to be bold, strong, & free from oppression, is the message it carries.

‘Do You Cry’ has touch and feel with a guitar solo from the gods that wrenches every piece of emotion out of the listener as it reaches its conclusion. What is so effective about the whole of Money and Power is the variety on offer. One listen to ‘Stoppa Back Poppa’ and you will know what I mean. It is a Funky Blues workout that gets you in the groove and makes you move. Other notable changes are the bouncy pop of ‘Legends’ or the strength that fills the lyrics of ‘Stepping Stone’.

This album is sprinkled with magic from start to finish, there is gold dust to be found everywhere. A huge amount of credit must go to Grammy-winning producer  Tom Hambridge.

Review: Paul Mace

Album Track Listing

1. Brown Liquor ft. Christone Kingfish Ingram (3:49)
2. Maybe Some Day (3:19)
3. Money & Power (3:27)
4. Do You Cry (4:31)
5. Heal Me (3:48)
6. Stopper Back Papa (3:50)
7. Legends (3:35)
8. Keep Me In Mind (3:37)
9. Unbreakable ft. Shemekia Copeland (2:52)
10. Stepping Stone (4:03)
11. Feel That Sting (3:29)
12. Black Cat (4:19)

Photos by Jeremiah Shepherd   DHP and Friends in association with The Main Thing ALLY VENABLE OCTOBER 2025 UK TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM ALTTICKETS, GIGANTIC & VOODOO ROOMS MANCHESTER, GULLIVERS TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2025 Buy Tickets 109 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LW https://gulliversnq.infoEDINBURGH, VOODOO ROOMS WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2025 Buy Tickets 19a W Register St, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA www.thevoodoorooms.comNOTTINGHAM, THE BODEGA THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER 2025 Buy Tickets 23 Pelham St, Nottingham, NG1 2ED www.bodeganottingham.comLONDON, THE GARAGE FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2025 Buy Tickets 20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD www.thegarage.londonSITTINGBOURNE, THE BOURNE MUSIC CLUB SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2025 Buy Tickets The Appleyard, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, ME10 4DE www.thebournemusicclub.co.uk # # # Ally Venable Website | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube