Reviewed by: Tom Fleming, Freedom Project

On her third album, Little Bit of Luck, Pacific Northwest guitarist–songwriter Jill Newman leans fully into the roots-and-blues sensibility she’s been quietly refining for years. Recorded at Seattle’s Studio Litho, the album feels warm, lived-in, and handmade, its nine originals shaped by Newman’s clear, unaffected vocals and her versatile guitar work — particularly her lyrical slide playing.

The songs move between ease and ache: the title track opens with a laid-back, harmonica-lit groove about needing presence more than possessions, while “Lost Without You” and “Making Up for Lost Time” reveal a writer unafraid of vulnerability, folding regret and tenderness into melodies that land gently but decisively.

The band — Patrick McDanel, Kelly Van Camp, Scott Smith, plus tasteful guest contributions from Annie Jantzer, Joe Doria, Chris Gestrin, and cellist Peggy Lee — keeps the arrangements spacious and supportive, allowing the songs’ emotional core to shine.

As the album progresses, Newman broadens the palette without losing cohesion. “Lay My Worries Down” rides a funky organ pulse; “Not Gonna Change My Mind” adds a ragged blues-rock edge; and the instrumental “Yellow Dog Shuffle”, a playful nod to her dog Lucy, shows off her touch, tone, and love of groove. The lone cover, “Love Has No Pride”, closes the record with understated conviction, its simplicity reinforcing the album’s overarching strength: honesty delivered without theatrics. Little Bit of Luck isn’t trying to reinvent roots music — it’s doing something rarer, offering sincerity, craftsmanship, and lived experience in songs that feel both familiar and deeply personal.

Original Review, CJAM 95.1 FM (Detroit/Windsor) can be found here.

Reviewed by: Gerard Haarhuis, Bluestown Music (Netherlands)

Jill Newman, Vancouver, BC, Canada, has been playing guitar since childhood and in later years was part of an all-lady Led Zeppelin tribute band. The album Little Bit Of Luck is only her 3rd album, recorded in Seattle in the Studio Litho, it contains 10 songs in the following line-up:

– Jill Newman on electric guitar and slide guitar

– Kelly van Camp on drums, percussion and harmonica

– Patrick McDanel on electric and upright bass

– Peggy Lee on cello

– Scott Smith on rhythm guitar

– Chris Gestrin on organ

– Joe Doria on keyboards, and here and there, but not too little, Annie Jantzer on backing vocals and a separate mention for Jill’s dog, Lucy, who sat next to her while writing the songs for this album!

The album is self-published but can also be downloaded via Bandcamp. Let’s start right away with the title song as opening song Little Bit Of Luck. Heavy drums, beautiful melodic harmonica, quiet accompaniment. Jill doesn’t need much, “you” next to me, a little time and… a Little Bit Of Luck, with a nice guitar solo right after it, after which the lyrics are repeated. A really nice harmonica. Top! Also a nice ending to this beautiful song.

Lost Without You, a more emotional song in which Jill makes it clear that she is Lost Without You. All those wonderful events that are only so wonderful because her partner is there. Beautifully sung, a very nice bluesy slide, and then emphasize once again that she is Lost Without You! Even a bit poppy, but still a nice and good song!

Sharp and funky guitar playing at the beginning of Lay My Worries Down in which Jill sounds like Maria Muldaur! Hardly any difference! Here and there we hear a timid organ joining us. Simply put, she is looking for someone she can trust and lay my worries down with. As the song progresses, the organ becomes more prominent, even including a solo, with or without spiky guitar playing. A nice propulsive song!

Making Up For Lost Time, as if you can make up for lost time. Forget it! Accompanied by a truly wonderful guitar, Jill, followed by the backing vocals of Annie Jantzer, sings the whole story of wasted energy and that she hopes that “it” is not too late to find her way again! Very beautiful, also in execution! Heavy, but that fits perfectly with the content of this beautiful song!

Not Gonna Change My Mind begins no less heavily and nicely thumping, accompanied by a modest harmonica. And as often noted: This is blues! So another broken relationship and if broken is really broken then you should stick with it and especially Not Gonna Change My Mind! In between we are treated to a tearing guitar solo. A sturdy pestle!

In the next song Someone Like You it starts with the cello and that immediately gives a romantic atmosphere. “Someone Like You, from the first time I saw you.” So clearly. That will be fine. Wonderful cello outbursts that awaken the butterflies in the stomach even more. Oh, how we want more! Enjoy.

Crying Out Loud. Jill has packed her bags and is ready to leave. He loves her, that’s fine, but it’s not enough for Jill, she wants more! Crying Out Loud. A nice quiet song, supported by organ, guitar and drums. With a beautiful, deep, emotional guitar solo! Beautifully sung narratively. Jill indicates that she will continue on her own. Unfortunately, it is no different. Crying Out Loud! I was already afraid of it. No improvement!

“I’ve Had Enough of Loving You.” A nice swinging song, a jazzy guitar, a beautiful and strong harmonica and a fortunately audible upright bass! A nice tune at the end. Nice!

Yellow Dog Shuffle is an instrumental song, but with backing vocals and an ode to her labrador Lucy. Absolutely funky and soulful and, fortunately, that is not possible without prominent keyboards and tearing guitar, in other words a bit in the style of Booker T. & the M.G.’s! Lucy will be happy with this.

The last song on this album is the only song not written by Jill Newman, Love Has No Pride. A song you may know from Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt or others… Love Has No Pride, sings Jill, disappointed in love. A beautiful rippling blues with excellent guitar support! As is often the case, the basis for the song is provided by the drums and keyboards. It proves once again that Love Has No Pride when Jill asks him to come back to her! And then I personally think it’s more of a case of bad luck that this song has brought an end to a great album.

To start with, Jill is a very fine singer, who can add enough variation to her voice to continue to fascinate. Her guitar work is also more than excellent. She produces very best solos in many songs! Jill’s colleagues on this album know their trade. The use of the cello was refreshing because it happens exactly where it has the most contribution to the song, almost in terms of timing exactly where you would expect it.

So: all praise goes to Jill Newman, who has delivered a very beautiful album with ‘Little Bit Of Luck’, also because of the songs, except one, written by herself and the choice of subject she uses! I have three very favorites and they are Lay My Worries Down, Making Up For The Lost Time and Someone Like You.

Original Review (Dutch) can be found here.

Jill’s interview on Bluesland KMRE Radio 88.3FM in Bellingham, WA. Listen here.

Little Bit of Luck recommended in September 2025 Top Blues Picks Toronto Blues Society!