Saguaro Road

For Joan Osborne, jumping into the musical limelight with her 1995 album Relish – which produced the monster hit “One of Us” – had to be a mixed blessing. Relish was a great album that featured great songs but Osborne is more than a pop singer. Just listen to her hearty and, yes, world-weary vocals on the handpicked vintage blues and soul songs on Bring It On Home. Right from “I Don’t Need No Doctor” to “Shake Your Hips” and beyond, Osborne shows that she’s a vocal match for Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt and perhaps even a worthy heir to Janis Joplin’s throne. Backed by sometimes stinging and occasionally soaring guitars, a just-lusty enough beat and soulful background vocals, Osborne proves that she’s got the confidence and soul to “bring it on home” as few others can.