Betsy Olson – Lonely Woman Blues (Independent) Montana raised, but now residing in Seattle, Betsy Olson borrows some dirt and grunge from her chosen home city, and applies it liberally to her debut, Lonely Woman Blues. As the title suggests, Olson’s record is blues-based, though it’s to bands like Led Zep, Canned Heat and Big Brother, plus contemporaries like The Black Keys, that much of her music nods to, rather than the purist stuff. Good ‘n’ raw – she plays live as part of a duo – she gets her point across with the minimum of fuss, but with plenty of gumption. “Long Time”, the album’s opening cut, showcases Olson’s formidable guitar groove and sets up a collection which convinces at every turn. Check out her MySpace page for a taste, but don’t forget to crank it up. This ain’t no chill-out cabaret blues. www.myspace.com/betsyolson Rob F. Betsy Olson – Long Time (Live on KEXP) Next