Misty Blues " Other Side Of Blue" Review

Artist: Misty Blues

Album: Other Side Of Blue

Released: 2025

Artist Website: https://www.mistybluesband.com/

The latest release from Misty Blues "Other Side Of Blue" is the 17th album from the New England based blues and roots outfit. The band is fronted by vocalist Gina Coleman with a powerhouse delivery that sounds like absolutely nobody else. The thing that is most common with the band through the many releases is their ability to say something that is 100% unique, while still coloring within the blues lines. They certainly stretch further than the constraints of the classic 12 bar blues format but somehow never leave the genre.

The album starts with a rare straight, no frills blues from Misty called I've Got Vices. Coming in with tasteful classic blues lick on the guitar and a big room sound that gives me the impression the mics were placed somewhere across the street to capture the room vibe impeccably. It's interesting and exciting to hear this band in the context of a straight blues, mainly because they typically push the lines outside the format. On this cut it is 100% Grade A classic blues.

The first single from the album, Carry On This Way, was released earlier in the year to radio and did quite well. This song is a shiny diamond of an example of how Misty Blues pushes the boundaries of blues music while never taking it into flat out blues rock. They straddle the line like a cat on a cable that never shows a hint of wobble. In part, it's the lack of overstated guitar pyrotechnics that are quite popular in the blues rock genre. Instead, it is always a true ensemble effort, done tastefully at every turn without ever even flirting with pushing so far that it offends the traditionalist. As a lifetime fan of blues it's hard to think of another band that achieves this result so tactfully.

You'll Never Feel My Blues is an interesting funky and almost dico take on roots music. The vocal is a bit more subdued than much of the Misty catalog, exposing a softer side of Gina Coleman's considerable vocal talents. This cut is a great example of how this band can take something that is clearly outside of the blues format, but somehow inject so much soul into it that it swings right back into the shadow cast by the blues umbrella. The song is short and super sweet. At 2:32 they understand the power of knowing when to get out and leave the listener wanting more.

On an album that has zero filler Saving Grace is a real standout cut. A group handclap provides the beat to this slinky piece of music that depends on one chord and a dirty repetitive slide guitar line over a droning organ pad. The vocals are right out of a Southern Baptist mass. The bass line is an absolute grand slam, sounding like something The Temptations would've used in the early 70s as an answer to Papa Was A Rolling Stone. This cut is the shining example of  "less is more"... however, sometimes less is just less. This song strikes the perfect balance, taking that catch phrase right out of the discussion and delivering a very memorable arrangement and performance!

This 11 song set is the latest chapter in the Misty Blues book. The music is always unique, heartfelt and delivered at the highest level. It is no wonder that the biggest radio outlet in the business, XM BB King's Bluesville has them in high rotation at all times, garnering as much airplay as some of the biggest blues artists throughout history. It's an important distinction, the only comparisons are the cream of the crop of the last 80 years of blues music. Why is that? Give them a listen and you'll know. I have reviewed several of their releases and I say the same thing every time, because it needs to be said every time... Nobody, and I mean nobody sounds like Misty Blues!