(Goofin) Marti Brom returns after a 3 year wait with her latest release, Wise To You! The disc, recorded partly in Helsinki, Finland and Austin is a mix of hard driving rockabilly, playful swing and late 50s style country noir honky tonkers where she tears through a strong batch of sometimes delightfully unexpected covers and a few originals.

On the rockabilly numbers, Marti kicks things off with a high octane original, "That Crazy Beat" before moving into a bluesy, growling duet with Nick Curran on "I Changed My Mind Jack." She offers up sensually playful covers of Dorsey Burnette's "Great Shakin' Fever" and Neil Sedaka's "Fallin'," along with another strong original, "Full Grown." The sassy title track "Wise To You" proves Marti's one girl not to mess around with, while "Voodoo Voodoo" is an infectious classic rockabilly bopper. 

Marti delivers something a little different with a pair of sexy, atmospheric noir style songs, "You're The Boss," a slinky duet with Ted Roddy, and an absolutely stunning rendition of Ray Davies' "I Go To Sleep." She provides honky tonk swing with "Why Are You Saving Your Kisses" and "I've Got That Lovin' Bug Itch" that particularly recall Rose Maddox. Marti shows off some sassy vocals on "Firecracker" and "Don't Stop" offers up a rousing dose of hillbilly jump.

She wanders into more traditional country fare with a few torchy Connie Smith/Patsy Cline style honky tonkers with a knockout cover of Bob Nolan's "The Rainbow's End," the heartbreak tale "My Baby's Gone," and yet another strong original "Whole Lotta Lonesome."

Wise To You! is a strong disc where Marti Brom provides a smartly blended and diverse range of tempos and styles delivered by a small but tight combo and she delivers the songs with terrific vocal authority, whether it be a snarling 'don't-mess-with-me' growl or the aching sadness of a broken heart.  

Standout Tracks:  "I Changed My Mind Jack," "The Rainbow's End," "Wise To You," "Whole Lotta Lonesome," "I Go To Sleep"

On The Net:  www.marti-rockabillygal.de/

                     www.goofinrecords.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack January 2004