Rev Rabia

As with the studio set ("Never Too Late"), the album opens with Memphis Minnie's "Black Cat." It shows that Rev. Rabia can cut it live, and Thrasher provides some nicely sympathetic amplified harp.

For the first few tracks, the guitar does sound a little quiet, although Rev. Rabia has such a big warm voice that she carries the show anyway. The style is maintained for the first of the originals, "Be Careful What You Wish For," which should help convince first time listeners that Rev. Rabia writes some good songs too.

For "Never Too Late," Thrasher takes a breather. Although the guitar picking in this one is relatively simple, it is also highly effective. The song is delivered almost as a field holler, where Rev. Rabia's terrific vocals are punctuated by guitar fills at the end of each of the verses. This is the third of four tracks that were also on the "Never Too Late" album, the only other one being the cover of "Rock Me Baby."

In amongst the other six tunes are a couple more originals. "Holyblues," which is also the name of Rev. Rabia's web site, features some greater muddy harp from Thrasher, and has some driving guitar. The guitar becomes much more audible on this one. It is followed by some gentle downhome slide on "Baby Get Lost," where Rev. Rabia shows that she can howl like the Wolf too.

The album rounds out with a trio of covers. After Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul Of A Man," the duo delivers a driving version of Willie Brown's "Future Blues." The final song is a version of "Love In Vain" which features some more neat slide guitar, and Rev. Rabiaadds some new lyrics.

"Live Concert" is another fine CD from Rev. Rabia and Virgil Thrasher. It shows that the duo are worth checking out if they are playing in your town. Rev. Rabia is a great singer, and a more than capable guitar player, whilst Virgil Thrasher provides the perfect foil on harp. "Live Concert" should help to boost the reputation that the duo established on "Never Too Late."