For her third album, Tryin' to Make a Little Love, Boston's Michelle Willson traveled to New Orleans, worked with producer Scott Billington, and embraced a variety of material. Her singing was still brassy, sassy, and full of attitude, and she could still handle the type of invigorating 1940s/early-'50s jump blues for which she was known. But this isn't an album that neatly fits into any one category. Though retailers placed Tryin' to Make a Little Love in the blues bins, this isn't strictly a blues outing. Willson brings her passion to the jump blues of Dolly Cooper's Ay La Bas, the Latin jazz of Corazon de Hielo, and the Southern-style soul of I Would Rather Do Without It. Also, her emotion can be heard on Shifting Sand (a Willson original), Life Rolls On and Responsibility (a Dr. John/Doc Pomus composition). Before this album came out, the singers Willson was most often compared to included Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown, and Big Maybelle -- and they're still valid comparisons; this time, however, Etta James' name can be added to that list. While it doesn't hurt to name Willson's influences, it's important to point out that she's quite recognizable herself -- Tryin' to Make a Little Love is the work of a singer who shouldn't be pigeonholed. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

1		Tryin' To Make A Little Love
2		Ay La Bas
3		Life Rolls On
4		I Would Rather Do Without It
5		Each Day
6		Half Past The Blues
7		Responsibility
8		Bring It Home To Me
9		Shifting Sand
10		Someday
11		Corazon De Hielo
12		Guess You Didn't Love Me Enough
13		In The Driver's Seat