Laura Chavez: My Voice Review
It takes an immense amount of talent, courage, and self-confidence to venture out in the music world and release a totally instrumental album. It may be even less common when that instrumentalist happens to be female. Such is the case with Laura Chavez, as her first solo album, My Voice, approaches its official release on March 20.
Laura Chavez is a seasoned veteran of the blues, R&B, and soul music world and has played alongside many popular artists, as well as appeared on numerous recordings. Born in California, Chavez is said to have been drawn toward music because of her mom’s piano playing. At age six or seven, she began taking guitar lessons, but soon stopped and did not begin playing again until she was in her teens. Soon afterward, she became the house band guitarist at a venue called J.J.’s Blues in San Jose, CA. It was there that she met Lara Price, and they played together professionally for eight years. In 2008, Chavez received a referral from Sue Foley and became Candye Kane’s lead guitarist. That led to many other opportunities, as she performed alongside artists such as Deborah Coleman, Nikki Hill, Vanessa Collier, and Big Daddy Wilson. Guitar Player Magazine named her one of the top fifty “Sensational Female Guitarists,” and she won the Blues Music Award for the “Instrumentalist – Guitar” category in 2023, after being nominated in 2019 and 2021. This was the first, and only, time a female had won that award.
My Voice, while entirely instrumental, provides an opportunity for Laura Chavez to sing in a way that is sure to please even the harshest vocal critics, and that is with her guitar. What she cannot, or chooses not to, express vocally, she makes up for with her masterful guitar skills. The album opens with Chavez’s take on the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival piece, “Born On The Bayou.” It is a great opening that highlights her skillful guitar playing. This song rocks. Let me get this out of the way right now: her accompanying musicians on this recording are simply great. I would be remiss if I did not mention them and the outstanding job they do throughout the album.
The very next track is “Mind Your Step,” a funky number that incorporates what makes so many songs successful. The ingredients to that success are three chords, six strings, and a lot of feeling in between. As with each song on this recording, there is a lot of great guitar playing, and if you love to dance, make sure to put your dancing shoes on while listening to this cut.
“So Long Baby, Goodbye” is the sixth tune on Laura Chavez’s My Voice and is her rendition of The Blasters’ 1981 track. It is upbeat and features, in addition to Chavez’s masterful guitar riffs, some very enjoyable keyboard work.
After listening to “La Llorona,” I thought to myself, and even mentioned to my wife, that the guitar sounded like someone crying. Because I do not speak Spanish, I looked up the meaning of “La Llorona.” I found that it translates to “the weeping woman,” “the wailer,” or “the crier.” The track is slow and bluesy, and I felt almost reaffirmed in being able to receive and understand Chavez’s intention. Her guitar here is, no doubt, crying, and the song serves as a great conclusion to this well-crafted recording.
Laura Chavez’s guitar playing on My Voice is one of the most beautiful voices you will ever encounter. Supported by the other excellent musicians on the album, this recording is sure to please not only guitarists but anyone who appreciates great musicianship. Many of the songs from this album can be found on YouTube, along with several of her live performances, so be sure to check those out. She also has upcoming concerts, so take a look at her schedule and experience her playing in a live setting. I would highly recommend listening to My Voice for yourself. I am confident that you will not be disappointed.
The Review: 9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Born On The Bayou
– Mind Your Step
– So Long Baby, Goodbye
– La Llorona
The Big Hit
– So Long Baby, Goodbye