Reviews
"Adegbalola possesses a classic blues singer's talent
to breathe life into mere words. It's the combination
of prodigious singing, timely material and exquisite
production (courtesy of Block) that raises this effort
above any mere "women's blues" label . . . Her identification
with humanity's daily struggles - and her ability
to articulate them - secure Adegbalola's place
within the tradition."
– Blues Revue Magazine
"Adegbalola is so supremely connected to her music
that one feels the joy, beauty, and pain as if it were
one's own."
– The Washington Blade
"Adegbalola combines an impish sense of humor
with hard-nosed feminist mettle; her effervescent
theatricality allows her to infuse even her most politically
righteous statements with life-affirming zest."
– Living Blues Magazine
" a vocal range that varies from the lubriciousness of
Sarah Vaughn to the crisp sonority of Nina Simone."
– The Boston Phoenix
"Adegbalola just keeps getting better and better as a
songwriter . . . the songs can't be pigeon-holed as
women's songs - they're people songs."
– The Buffalo News
“. . . some of the frankest and funniest songs in their
(Saffire's) repertory are Adegbalola originals, songs in
which a liberated woman looks on love with the rueful
eye of experience and the saving grace of good
humor."
– The Washington Post
"A gifted writer, vocalist and performer, her lyrics
speak of the human condition with as much eloquence
(earthy street talk, of course, qualifying) as
one could want. She tells it like it is. . . Adegbalola is
one of the most electrifying blues performers
around."
– Sacramento Blues Society
" . . . Smart, savvy, witty, and unabashedly outspoken,
Adegbalola continues the Saffire tradition on her
solo debut of calling attention to some pretty severe
social issues with sympathy and incisive clarity . . ."
– amazon.com review
"She doesn't simply deliver a good line – she sings
her heart out, letting herself go with the flow of a
phrase . . .This is no Evita on a balcony, this is the
March on Washington!"
– fab! (magazine)
"Gaye's voice is instantly recognizable; she's made the
classic songs her own and her own songs classics."
– Bob Margolin, Blues Revue Magazine
". . . blues performed with so much heart and panache
that it is unreservedly recommended."
– Ron Weinstock, D. C. Blues Society
" The respect and love for this music is evident by the
joy just dripping from your speakers."
– Beardo, Sr. contributing editor, BluesWax ezine
"Gaye has always been the ultimate modern realization
of this breed of blues great (classic blues women).
. . She continues to be a pathfinder to the truth in all
its naked wonder."
– George P. Seedorff, Big City Blues Magazine
"Outspoken, yet introspective, Adegbalola's blues are
essential listening material! It's enlightening, entertaining
and effectively effervescent!"
– Blues Connection; BRITAIN
"With the obvious grand sense of showmanship this
lady possesses, a voice made for singing the blues, and
the simplicity of the duo (with Roddy Barnes), this act
made this concert a wonderful moment of pure emotion."
– Espace M. Begart, blues feelings; FRANCE
"This work (Neo-Classic Blues) has the power to be
pedagogical without being boring and deserves to be
a reference in schools of music, to show future virtuosi
what spontaneity brings to art.Well done!"
– Fred Delforge, Zicazine E Magazine; FRANCE
"The Saffire star boogies with the ballads and the
blues. This was not your party band at work; it was a
shining star treating her hometown to something very
good. . .When Gaye dons that white tux, she's straight
off Broadway."
– Front Porch News, Fredericksburg, VA
Readers' Choice: Best Performance, Best Singer