There are many divas in the world of pop music, maybe even
too many. But there is only one Possumdiva, and that’s Heather Luttrell. While
the divas smile for the camera and wait for someone else to write their next
hit song, Heather Luttrell is busy writing her own lyrics, arranging the music,
playing guitar and bringing it all to life with a killer southern fried voice
(and did I mention she also designs the album covers!) All of Heather’s talents
are on full display on her latest album, Possumdiva. Backed by her sparse, but
talented Possum Den band, Heather creates a sonic American Southern Gothic.
Dancing a little on the dark side, Heather is not afraid to do things her way;
but unlike other “outlaw” acts, she’s not afraid to admit that she might be
wrong in doing it. Maybe that’s why she bills her music as “Outlaw Americana
for the Thinking Drunk.”
She brings her drinking and thinking to the forefront on the
album’s first song, “Road Home to Hell.” Like the old Drivin’ N Cryin’ song, “I’m
Going Straight to Hell,” Heather gives up on trying to please her mama and
decides to live life on her terms no matter what the outcome. She sings, “you
can lead this horse to water, it don’t mean it’s still not wild,” That “don’t give a damn” attitude plays
throughout the entire album, but her voice and lyrics are so compelling you
just can’t stop listening, even if it might be you that she’s telling off. She
swaggers unrepentantly through songs like “Perfect Day,” (“Then the sidewalk punched my face
when I got back to my place. And somehow my drinking still ainʼt done.”) “More
Fun To Sin,” and “He’ll Do Till He Quits Doin.”
Her voice brims with confidence showing influences from
Bonnie Raitt, Patty Griffin, Marcia Ball and even a touch of Aretha Franklin,
whom she does justice to with her cover of Dr. Feelgood. There are also a few
moments of tenderness here. “Broken Covnersation” and “What is Wanting” are
both touching love songs. But with Heather being Heather, these love songs do
not have happy endings. Perhaps the most intense moment of the album is the
song “Redemption.” Like a
gospel song for the damned, “Redemption” tells a burning bed type story of a woman
pushed too far; and now “Hell’s coming home in a gingham dress.” Unwilling to
play dead, this Possum Diva stands and fights by her own rules. I could go on
all day about this album, but as Heather rightly sings on the album’s last
song, “Well Done Is Better Than Well Said,” so go listen for yourself and you’ll
see how well done this album really is!
