Sarah Sokal - "Twisted Games" - Written and produced by Sarah Sokal - Musical Director - David Lines - Directed,Engineered,and Mixed by DUBe,Co-Engineer - Sarah Sokal - Sarah Sokal Music - sarahsokal.com

 

 

               "Music is like a good friend.It brings back memories,connects you to your present by uplifting you,and sometimes it also speaks about you or things you are going through so you cannot feel along with music. Humans need music to get through everyday challenges." - Sarah Sokal (thanks to Michael Limnios Music Network - December 19,2024 - "Sarah Sokal:Twisted Games Blues)

 

            Montreal blues-singer Sarah Sokal is helping to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, drawing in a younger audience who appreciate timeless blues and the appeal of mainstream music. Like many modern-era blues women , standing firm against a more male-dominated music scene , showcasing their fierce and fiery independence and incredible creativity , Sarah has found the freedom to express herself better , developing her artistic identity and sound , on her sensational and powerful new album"Twisted Games". Tossing aside any expectations Sarah has pushed herself , and the musicians around her , into the world of rocking blues , where shades of jazz , blues , rhythm and blues and soul collide with huge sparks of unrestrained enthusiasm.

              Sarah Sokal - Wrote her first song,"Pourquoi" , at the age of five. She recorded her first song,"I'm Lost" , when she was 15 years of age . From there Sarah as a teen performed in various hotels around Montreal and Quebec before forming The Sarah Sokal Band, showcasing a mix of pop , adult contemporary and blues . Sarah is also a vocal coach and has worked with a variety of Juno Award-nominated and Juno Award-winning artists. After meeting producer Marc Dube for coffee in Montreal a few years ago,"I had two songs written, and I had a strong desire to record a full blues album destined to be a vengeance album,turning the ugly I've experienced through my journey in the industry into something beautiful and empowering." - Sarah Sokal

              "Man Made" , a single released from "Twisted Games" is gaining international attention , expanding Sarah's fan base to a world-wide audience , a beefy,bluesy, party-starting anthem , the hooks and riffs grabbing your attention,making the song, simply, unforgettable. "Twisted Games" is cleverly written , musically amazing, and vocally remarkable . Beautiful packaging is first-rate art work. The production is first rate,Sarah working incessantly to showcase her independence and creativity . There is a deeply personal and reflective side to the lyrics alongside Sarah's emotional connection to every composition. She certainly squeezes out every last drop of emotion with every powerful vocal performance . Listening to "Twisted Games" we can hear the influences of Beth Hart,Susan Tedeschi,Peggy Lee , Etta James and Dinah Washington , and even shades of Amy Winehouse and Sheryl Crow. Sarah calls these 13 original songs a collection of "Blues-Rock-Oldies vibes and (a) fresh blend of "Neo Blues' with modern music influences" . Sarah has surrounded herself with people who believe in her and share her deeply personal musical journey. Sarah Sokal , much like Peggy Lee, Etta James, and Dinah Washington , is an exceptional singer , with a powerful voice , drenched with plenty of emotional expression, and an ability to push boundaries. She can more than hold her own against her male counterparts. Sarah is a musical shape shifter , and this can best be experienced by listening to the tracks "That Man" , "Rain" , and "When Love Comes Around" , when her voice is center stage , the music framing her beautifully , the vocals expressive , acrobatic, adapting to the song without the listener being able to figure out what is coming next .

                  From smoking jazz lounge performances to searing blues rockers and haunting soul , Sarah's voice is wondrous , her voice oftentimes soaring into the stratosphere. Outstanding musical chemistry blends perfectly with Sarah's vocals , and the well crafted songs are delivered as a great creative team , united , together , inspired. Everyone involved clearly enjoys making music together and this is an outstanding collaborative effort spotlighting a distinctive;y personal artistic vision.

              Sarah Sokal is definitely a talent to reckon with , someone who will be thrilling and surprising listeners for many years to come . Making music on her own terms , writing songs that dig deep into life's triumphs , disappointments , daring to peek into all of those dark crevices , Sarah Sokal delivers performances that seize our emotions. "Twisted Games" serves as an excellent introduction to an emerging artist worthy of our attention . I can't wait to see what surprises Sarah has for us in the months and years ahead . Many thanks for the enormously talented musicians,and songwriters, who gave so much of themselves to make this project really exciting , enjoyable , and highly combustible.

 

Review Written By - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations - raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1