REVIEWS  

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com - 2011 Keeping the Blues Alive Recipient - CD Review

At the band's website it states that "The Otilia Donaire Band features Otilia combining her singing talents with some of the Bay Area's finest blues and rock musicians that consistently deliver a fun and interactive show filled with a huge repertoire of upbeat/danceable classic blues, rock, R&B and soul/funk tunes that'll keep you on the dance floor". That said, although I've not had the pleasure of seeing their live show, I will tell you that after listening to Bluesin' It Up, I can attest to having just heard some quite masterful musicians providing the perfect platform for Otilia to showcase her spectacular vocal skills.

The opening track is a very cleverly written original song titled "Wrong Side Of 45" and I gotta tell ya, in my comments about the song there will not be any sympathy offered from a guy who's on the wrong side of seventy-five. Musically, it's a barnburner with just about everyone in the credits laying it out like they aren't on the wrong side of anything. 

Another original, "Without You", has a bit of an old school R&B feel that features Otilia using impressive range as she soulfully belts the hell out of some blues. If I'm ever at an Otilia Donaire band live show, I'm requesting this one.

"Queen Bee" is another similar smoker with pretty much the same things going on. Lyrically, Otilia is on the prowl and about to pounce - and I do mean pounce - on her prey.  

"Damn, this gal can sing". This is the kind of stuff I can listen to all day long. Throughout this disc, the many rhythm musicians and their various instruments have pretty much been a standing highlight. Yes, I know I've said this many times and I hope to say it many more - when it comes to hearing a female singer nailing a bluesy ballad I just melt. 

The disc closes with a Willie Dixon song and if that has you thinking it's probably the disc's most traditional blues track, you'd be quite right. Just like Muddy made you believe he was every bit of the Hoochie Coochie Man when he sang it, Otilia is as serious as a heart attack about being the "Hoochie Coochie Woman". 

HE ROCK DOCTORS HOT WAX ALBUM REVIEWS – WEEK OF SEPT 24 - Gonzo Okanagan Music, Technology, Sports, Film, Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Wine & Dine... Life! BLUESIN’ IT UP Otilia Donaire (independent) **** ½

Blues with sassiness and grit on top of dynamite playing is what this San Francisco native has in store for you.  Bluesin’ It Up presents one of the most talented and female voices in the blues you’ll ever hear, combining newer material with stuff from her previous EP The Queen Bee.  One of Otilia’s biggest influences as a singer is Chicago blues queen Koko Taylor, and while similarities might not readily come to mind they are a match in the passion department. She’s one of the genres finest singers male or female this chick can really wail, not unlike Lee Aaron.

This album ruins the gamut of blues emotion, from upbeat shuffles to some funky rhythms to heart-wrenching ballads that you will feel.  It features some great originals along with covers of songs by the likes of Koko Taylor (Voodoo Woman), Willie Dixon (Hoochie Coochie Woman) and JD Miller (Sugar Coated Love).  There are too many people involved in the sessions to note here, all fine players, but let’s not kid ourselves… Ms. Donaire’s passion-drenched voice is really the star here.  It’s smooth, soulful and enticing, not a bad way to get people’s attention.

Otilia Donaire isn’t re-inventing the wheel but on Bluesin’ It Up she and her Bay Area pals are playing righteous, funk-driven, soulful blues that will get under your skin in the most delightful way. This fine album, packed with great songs, should be in your collection. 

Stephanie Tice, Executive Producer / No Border Blues

Bluesin' It Up, features talented Bay Area blues singer and artist Otilia Donaire. Her enticing vocals throughout the album intrigued me with their complex ranges; silky smooth, then pure powerful grit.  She consistently nails it, taking you on a bluesy lyrical journey. This album is a great addition to any blues collection, especially when interested in female vocals with diverse tonality.

BLUESIN’ IT UP Otilia Donaire (independent) Self-produced CD www.otiliadonaire.com

Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for November 2024 - Cincy Blues Society

A fixture in the Bay Area music scene, singer/songwriter Otilia Donaire possesses a sassy, silky-smooth voice, drawing comparisons to her idol, Koko Taylor. And she’ll definitely get you out of your chair and up on the dance floor with this groovy set.

It’s a mix of nine originals – some of which were previously available on her EP, The Queen Bee – and three well-reconceived chestnuts. Recorded by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios, she’s backed by a full-band of Bay Area talent, which includes a horn section.

Put on your dancing shoes and get down to “Wrong Side of 45,” “Without You,” the original “The Queen Bee,” “Lovesick Blues,” “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool,” “Meet Me in My Dreams,” “On My Way to San Francisco,” “Over You” and “Tired of Loving You.”