Joan Osborne

Her bio clips describe her in a couple of ways: "gritty soul shouter on the New York club circuit," and as having an "emotionally bottomless blues wail that colors nearly every word she sings." Joan Osborne paid her dues on the New York club circuit, and her material reflects the influences of Etta James, Otis Redding, Tina Turner and Aretha, among others. The Early Recordings album of two years ago contains much of her material from that period (prior to the mega-successful Relish). Where you come from means a lot, and Osborne's comments about her New York roots and first recordings are revealing. "Because I was singing in bars at the time, I certainly was very influenced and steeped in the blues," she says. "I was really into those rougher textures." So, when Osborne is on stage, look for a seasoned performer who writes most of her own material. Her band members include Erik Della Penna, Jack Petruzelli and Rick Marrotta.

  -- SA