“I Put a Spell on You” is a 1956 song written and recorded by “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins. It is a classic that a few artists have revisited over the years, none better than the version recorded by the legend that is Nina Simone. Moving away from my total admiration for Nina, this version from Samantha Fish has placed her interpretation on the piece. It runs at over seven minutes and has a long instrumental placed in the middle with some wistful vocals, spiralling keys and her signature guitar moves.
It follows the recent release of her three-song EP and Samantha Fish says of the track, “I’ve always loved how intense and theatrical this song is; it gave me the perfect opportunity to dig into the darker, more haunting side of my sound.”
This version by S. Fish has a strong blues feeling in it, and the live audience gives a connection to her live shows and shows how well this song always reaches over generations. The beauty of the track is how well it lends itself to new artists picking it up, and a real plus point to this version is the new energy breathed into it.
While studio work allows her to reinvent herself, Fish insists, “The stage is where the real magic happens. I connect with the audience in a way that transforms the music into something alive.”
Following this release, Fish embarks on a European tour across the UK, Germany, and Holland, further showcasing her mastery of live performances. Fish has just wrapped up the Experience Hendrix Tour, where she shared the stage with blues legends like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. In November, she will headline the Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the label’s pivotal role in shaping modern blues.
Her full tour is connected to the end of this review.
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By Anna-Louise Burgess
Oct 05 – Brighton, UK, Chalk
Oct 06 – London, UK, Koko
Oct 07 – Norwich, UK, Epic Studios
Oct 08 – Cardiff, UK, Tramshed
Oct 09 – Bath, UK, Komedia
Oct 10 – Leeds, UK, Project House
Oct 11 – Nottingham, UK, Rock City
Oct 12 – Newcastle, UK, Boiler Shop
Oct 13 – Edinburgh, UK, Queen’s Hall
Oct 15 – Arnhem, NL, Luxer Live
Oct 16 – Groningen, NL, Oosterport
Oct 17 – Den Haag, NL, Paard
Oct 18 – Enchede, DE, Metropool
Oct 19 – Worpswede, DE, Music Hall
Oct 20 – Cologne, DE, Kantine
Oct 21 – Hamburg, DE, Fabrik
Oct 22 – Berlin, DE, Hole .44
RUF RECORDS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Nov 7 – Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
Nov 8 – Warren, OH, Robins Theatre
Nov 9 – Cincinnati, OH, Ludlow Garage
Nov 10 – St Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
Nov 11 – Columbus, OH, Bluestone
Nov 15 – Virginia Beach, VA, Elevation 27
Nov 16 – Hopewell, VA, Beacon Theatre
Nov 20 – Washington D.C. Warner Theatre
Nov 21 – Glenside, PA, Keswick
Nov 22 – Jim Thorpe, PA, Penn’s Peak
Nov 23 – New York, NY, Sony Hall
Nov 24 – Beverly, MA, Cabot Theatre