

Though Joanne Shaw Taylor was in her early 20s when she recorded her debut, the music sounds like the work of a blues guitarist who has spent decades honing her craft in every smoky club between Memphis and London. She certainly channels the soulful strength of her key influences (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix). But just as impressive is her knack for restraint. “Heavy Heart” and “Just Another Word” are powerful precisely because Shaw’s playing is so understated and elegant.