Willow Tree Records: Press

"Use What You Got", from Nashville's Kristie Agee & Big Potential, offers and appealing update of vintage styles. With oft-recorded trombonist Roy Agee leading a splendid, up-in-front horn section, Kristie has ideal backing to practice her opera-and theater-trained vocals, shifting from joyful soul and blues shouting (”Big Red Caboose”) and throaty big-band singing (jump numbers “Fat Meat Is Good Meat,” “Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style”) to emulating classic singer (her take on “Big Long Slidin’ Thing” sounds as much like Bessie Smith as Dinah Washington). Big Potential tosses in unexpected twists, adding splashes of electric slide and wah-wah guitar, giving Chick Willis’ “Use What You Got” a funky arrangement, and taking Howlin’ Wolf’s “Built For Comfort to New Orleans. Big thumbs-up.”

The album is full of horns and R&B classics from artists Dinah Washington, Willie Dixon, Chick Willis, and songwriters Rogers and Hart. The liner notes give a little tidbit about each song and the joys of big and beautiful. Some of the songs have a New Orleans flare, others head up the river to the Memphis sound while others head into the Chicago Jazz clubs.

What I like about this album is the fact that the songs are led by the horns while the guitar, bass, drums, and organ provides the rhythm. No one steps on each other's toes, they all stay in their own personal space. The mixing was done very well to bring out the strength in each song.

Kristie Agee has the vocal chops to pull off the mellow "When You Wish Upon A Star" or the raunchy Washington "Big Long Slidin' Thing." She puts 200% into every song and makes you listen to her. She grabs your attention and holds you there. Her husband, Roy, plays the trombone and pushes the performance of the other musicians to the top.

Use What You Got is a fun romp through some horn-drenched music. The music is very polished, as it should be on this affair. Midway through the album is a smoking acoustic "My Funny Valentine," while after the second half of the album is the smooth "When You Wish upon a Star." These provide a nice segue from the hot sounds on the rest of the album.

This celebration of beauty is a welcome positive album of Blues, if that makes any sense. Hey, it sounds good, so I'll go with it.

"Kristie Agee has pulled together material from a variety of sources to deliver an album of mainly up tempo covers, although there are also a couple of ballads to calm things down a bit. Done in a big band, bluesy, swing style for the most part, at times it is somewhat reminiscent of Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan in their prime and not dissimilar to Roomful of Blues either come to think of it, and certainly every bit as good.

It flies out of the stalls with the opening track Big Long Slidin' Thing, with Kristie's fine vocals supported by a solid horn backing. Blues Bunny has always been fond of a good horn section, and this one certainly fits the bill. Other tracks that will get you jumping are Big Red Caboose and Chick Willis' Use What You Got, as well as an outstanding feminine take on Little Sonny's Meat On Their Bones.

A great party album that can best be summed up as big voice, big band style and a real big sound."

“Big Band! Big Sound! Big Tone! Make some room. Kristie Agee and husband Roy will rock the house! While everyone else is sweating it out to look like Hollywood elite, Kristie is celebrating that big is better. Big fat mamas ARE back in style and Kristie’s message is ‘You got to learn to love all yourself!’”

"Kristie Agee is a powerhouse! With the help of her husband Roy, they have put their collective talents to work in what has turned out to be a wonderful recording."

“Fresh and swingin’! These adjectives fit the great voice of Kristie Agee, whether she is singing ballads or the blues on her new CD, “Use What You Got”. Kristie's voice is well complimented by the quality performances of Roy Agee and company. This CD is well worth the money at any price.”

"Kristie's rich, earthy voice is a modern rendition, reminiscent of torch song singers of the 30's and 40's, with instrumentals that are just as full bodied and alluring!"