Imagine being just twenty-two years old and having your debut CD rocket to the # 1 position on Bluesville, a channel on the XM Satellite radio network. Well that is just what happened to the incredibly talented Gina Sicilia, a Philadelphian who has been causing ears to perk up and radio DJs to spin her CD Allow Me To Confess.
Sicilia has already received international critical acclaim from those in the music industry and drawn high marks from legendary bluesman Bob Margolin. “I am taken with her ability to sing with both maturity and youthful fire, and that carries over into her songwriting and stage presence. Allow Me To Confess has been so well-received, and her power is exciting and obvious already,” says Margolin.
Eight of the eleven tracks on Allow Me To Confess came straight from the pen of Sicilia and three songs were covers, “That’s A Pretty Good Love,” (B. Lucas/E. Mendelsohn), the fun R&B tune “Pushover,” first made popular by Etta James and the soulful “Try Me,” originally recorded by Esther Phillips. At one time or another since the album was released earlier this year, all of the tracks have received airplay.
Many musical legends have their roots in songs that were added to records as an afterthought, or may have been borderline to make the final song selection. The album’s fifth track, “Pushover,” is one of those songs. Sicilia is downright sassy, bold and demonstrates awesome vocal prowess as she sings,
“So you told all the boys that you were gonna take me out
Ya even ya even had the nerve to make a bet, yes you did
That I, I would give in all of my love you would win
But you haven’t, you haven’t won it yet
You took me for a pushover
Oh you thought I was a push over
Whoa I’m not a push over
You thought my love was easy to get”
About her take on “Pushover,” Sicilia says, while laughing, “I am not sure if I am as sassy as the lyrics. I would say that I am a little bit more shy than that. I think you will have to ask somebody else if I am that sassy. I definitely like the lyrics and I am glad that I did that song. Originally, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to do the song because I didn’t know if it would fit on the album. It is a fun song and I am glad that I did it.”
On the recording of “Pushover,” Sicilia was nicely complimented by backup singers Nicole Hart, Deborah Gross, Lance Ong, and producer Dave Gross (also an outstanding blues artist). During live performances, Sicilia says that she performs “Pushover,” only when she is able to have a full compliment of musicians. As you listen to the CD and the fabulous playing of Karel Ruzicka Jr. (tenor/alto sax) and baritone sax man Rob Chaseman you will understand why Sicilia believes the tune is best appreciated with a fuller sound.
The R&B “Pushover,” is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the discussing the amazingly talented Sicilia. Her original tune “One Of Many,” is a missive to and about young women who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Sicilia tackles her own song in a fashion similar to blues icons like Memphis Minnie and modern day singer Maria Muldaur.
“It is really important to me that my lyrics have meaning. I am really big on lyrics. I get my inspiration from other people. I am a people watcher. I write about experiences that I have had or people I know have through. I think the song confronts issues that girls my age are experiencing,” says Sicilia about a song whose vocal performance show maturity well beyond her years.
