Jess Goggans is a singer/songwriter living in Fort Payne, Alabama looking to make her way up to Chattanooga. My only question is “Why isn’t she already setting the stage on fire here?”
The lady’s voice is practically a weapon, capable of cutting with scalpel precision or coming down on your head like a war hammer—and Ms. Goggans knows how to wield that weapon to supreme effect.
Her breathy, sultry voice lures you in…then without warning flies to a crescendo with range reminiscent of young Aretha Franklin demanding some respect.
Combine that voice with scorching guitar licks, Chet Atkins/Jerry Reed style pickin’, and an organ that can make the most devoted heathen feel a touch of the spiritual—now you’ve got something pretty damn hot.
Goggans has been described as “funky folk”, and while that wouldn’t have been my first choice, I am hard pressed to deliver a better label. What I hear is a unique blend of R&B, rockabilly and good old-fashioned blues, delivered in a package that could find equal footing in New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis or Miami.
Jess has a page on Reverbnation that sports five tunes and a link to her new album (released just a few weeks ago). Drop in, have a listen and send her a note letting her know that when she comes to town, the people who know what’s good in Chattanooga will show her band the love it deserves.
— MTM
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Jared Benedict more than 9 years ago
Jess Goggans
Jason Guinn more than 9 years ago