Cyndi Lauper
Memphis Blues
Mercer Street
[Three and a half stars]
Aug 10, 2010
Lately, Cyndi Lauper is many things: American Idol guest, Lady Gaga sidekick, relevant again. So it’s the perfect time for her to make . . . classic blues covers? Memphis Blues is a curveball, but that’s its charm. It’s fun to hear Lauper go all badass Betty Boop on ”˜Don’t Cry No More’ and ”˜Rollin’ and Tumblin’,’ squeaking and hollering with help from Ann Peebles, Allen Toussaint and BB King. The world might not need another version of ”˜Crossroads.’ But Lauper’s got great sass on ”˜Early in the Mornin’,’ teasing her band, “What you dooo-in’?” No doubt what they’re doin’ is listening to her with amusement.
Key Tracks: ”˜Early in the Mornin’,’ ”˜Rollin’ and Tumblin’’
