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It's been 3 years since the Queen of Blues/Rock Guitar, Joanna Connor released her comeback, record. Her new release ''Rise'' is an all original affair with 11 tracks and features a duet with Mike Zito. Joanna goes deep on this recording adding keyboard and horns to underscore her dynamic musical evolution.

This is modern blues from one of the finest musicians on the Chicago Blues scene.

''Probably the most pop record you can get out of a white girl with the blues, Connor's rise is about shaking off expectations and breaking free to harvest new crops. Not disregarding her trademark shredding and not having an ounce of selling out in the grooves, the viral sensation keeps it real and in the moment. Elbowing her way to the front of the line, she's delivering the non stop four star performances Chicago cats have known she's had in her since the 80s. Killer, well rounded stuff that's a show all in itself. Hot.''

Chris Spector

Midwest Record 10/19/2019

Track Listing

Sales Points

• Ads will be in Blues Music Magazine, Living Blues and Blues Festival Guide.
• Full support to A3, Blues and Americana radio.
• Joanna Connor will be touring throughout the U.S. to support the new record.

Press Quotes

Joanna Connor takes her blues guitar down new paths-Joanna Connor takes her powerful guitar down new paths on ''Rise,'' an album featuring some jazzier hues, her considerable acoustic skills and even a guest rapper while also doubling down on her reputation as a blues stalwart.

Connor, based in Chicago, released 2016's ''Six String Stories'' after a long break from studio recording even as she enhanced her status thanks to live performances. ''Rise'' is also characterized by a new backing band, ''a bunch of younger men'' credited by Connor for an extra dose of power, and several instrumentals, from the smooth tones of the title track to a cover of Sly and the Family Stone's ''If You Want Me to Stay'' featuring cracking solos from everyone involved.

Funky album opener ''Flip'' is a steamy take on what sounds like a May-September romance -- ''A woman can't live on guitar alone'' -- while ''Mutha'' features rapper Alphonso BuggZ Dinero toasting Connor with a dose of humor as she mercilessly shreds the strings.

''My Irish Father'' is a galloping, Rory Gallagher-like acoustic showcase with poignancy added by Connor's discovery not long ago of her birth father's identity. ''Cherish and Worship You'' is probably the most rocking track on the album and ''Earthshaker'' is a glowing tribute to a Windy City bass player with some very special skills.

Intense closer ''Dear America'' combines an homage to Led Zeppelin's take on ''When the Levee Breaks'' with a topical dissertation by Dinero as Connor's dramatic vocals and fiery fret work, along with powerful work from drummer Tyrone Mitchell, provide an alarming soundtrack to a catalog of political ills and social challenges.

Connor describes herself as ''that middle-aged lady with the scorching guitar'' and ''Rise'' is a monumental testament to her skills.

     —Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press

Joanna Connor might be the best--or most original--blues-based slide guitar player you're likely to come across today. Or tomorrow.

     —Guitar World

The ability of Joanna's guitar playing to pull back from the edge is a constant on the album....it is searing, paint peeling, sky writing fretwork from the guitar of Joanna Connor.

     —The Alternate Root

Her incendiary slide playing is absolutely breath-taking.

     —Elmore Magazine