What started as a group of friends mainly wanting to make music a few years ago has become a real band since then. Not only a change of names from Nederblues to Mariëlla Tirotto & TBF, but also some changes in the group and in the choice of songs. Only after having listened to their first CD or having gone on reading my conclusions you will know whether it was all worth it.
 
This little disc consists of 12 songs plus a bonus track of which 3 were not written by themselves. Mariëlla wrote all the other songs, some of them all by herself and other songs together with guitarist Harald Koll and/or bassist Heins Greten. The guitarist wrote the bonus track 'After hours' on his own and the result shows a splendid piece of musical abilities of about the whole band. And straight away I am giving away the secret of this cd, namely that here is a real band at work, a band that has a lot to offer musically seen.
You cannot just classify this cd under the category of Blues, for it is a lot more than only blues. Vocally, the range of Mariëlla Tirotto's voice goes beyond blues and even reminds you of Nina Simone at times. Whether it is jazz, funk, rock or blues, her voice covers it all. And if I would have to make a negative point, it is is that she has to be a bit careful of the way she finishes the sentences. As far as the guitar work is concerned I do not really hear a blues guitarist but a guitarist who has listened to about every kind of guitar play, even to Ygnie Malmsteen. Wonderful solo play, no less, especially in the more up tempo numbers. And then you hear Michel Kok's marvellous Mississippi saxophone, and all neatly and tightly backed up by a strict rhythm.
They clearly worked on the songs as well which is certainly positive, but watch out for overproducing here and there.
Furthermore, hat off for the brass arrangements which definitely lend colour to some songs.
 
As a début it certainly turned out very, very well, so now on to the stage and prove it in a live performance, I would say.
Blueswalker