Granted, here in the centre of Belgium, Mariella Tirotto and her Blues Federation are relatively unknown, but this will have to change quite quickly by this album or, here in Belgium, we will miss the boat again to see and hear  a born talent at work, or rather, born talents, for the lead singer Mariella as well as her Blues Federation know perfectly well what they are doing.
 
You can not just classify this ‘Somewhere Down The Road’ as ‘just a simple’ blues cd, for it is much more than that. Mariella Tirotto is definitely Dutch, but with southern roots and, more specifically, Italian, whereas ‘Madam’ Tirotto has a ‘Jazzy’ background and she has got good vocal qualities. Add to that the fact that she has a splendid feeling for song writing and you know straight away that you are dealing with a born talent. Together with Harald Koll and Heins Grieten she wrote most of the compositions.
A Blues CD, no way. Here we can listen to 13 beautiful compositions which have been thought about and with which they slightly stretch the Blues classification.
 
It is a clear flirtation with Jazz & Pop which will make it a bit more difficult for this formation to decide which direction to take when it will come at the ‘crossroads’. On the other hand, it will be easy because, with this splendid production, various directions will be possible. What I find hardest with this CD is the fact that with each number, despite the vocal qualities of Mariella, I start to wonder whether it could not be an instrumental jewel. Fortunately (respect for Mariella),there is an instrumental composition on the cd, accentuating the musical qualities of the band and making listening to these 13 numbers a feast.
 
The opening song ‘Playing The Game’ is definitely strong blues with a bit of Canned Heat beat and ‘Confused Woman’s Blues’ with a marvellous Harald Koll at the guitar and Mariella with a performance that takes your breath away, is a beauty of a ‘slow blues’. Each number is perfectly thought out and I think you can only really enjoy it when, at home, you put on your headphone and make sure you will not be disturbed while listening.
Take ‘Somewhere Down The Road’, a thumping good number with a sublime Michel De Kok at the ‘blues harp’. Fantastic ….
 
‘Window Of My Eyes’ with a wonderful Heins Greten at the piano and a Mariella who is certainly serious competition to Shirley Bassey in this number, is definitely ‘Jazzy’ and a number that could serve as a film track for many a movie. Great how alternate guitar- and piano play perfectly match.
Although all ‘13’ are good, my special choice is the ‘poppy’ ‘You Don’t Care’ with a ‘horn section’ which gives this number even more timbre. My absolute favourite is the ‘mystical’ ‘Bad Soul’ …. High Class Energy!!! A ‘Wave’ for our lead singer who wrote this all by herself, but Mariella, you will have to admit … your Federation has done a tremendous job.
 
A beautiful album and by taking it on the promotion team and the booking team have taken a  great responsibility, for this must become a hit … this is ‘High Fever’. (Freddy)