Michele D'Amour And The Love Dealers
What It's All About
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © July 2026
What It's All About is the eighth release for Michele D'amour and the third that we here at Mary4Music have had the pleasure of working with. Those making the music on the album are: Michele D'Amour McDanel on lead and backing vocals; husband Patrick McDanel on electric and upright bass and backing vocals; Steve Gorringe on electric guitar and backing vocals; Carl Martin on drums and backing vocals; Noel Barnes on soprano and alto sax, flute, and backing vocals; and Merlyn Ahern on keyboards and backing vocals. Of the album's eight tracks, seven are Michele's creations and one is a Junior Walker cover.
Speaking of Junior, with the music on What It's All About leaning into the blues with a classic R&B tradition, some of what you'll here will not only echo him, but Etta James; Martha and the Vandellas; The Isley Brothers; and Al Green. Quite a bunch of inspirators.
"What It's All About", the disc's title track, kicks things off and its old school vibe immediately lives up to the album's mission statement. Vocally, with an ample amount of sass, Michele's simple but often repeated chorus line of "Yeah, Yeah", totally makes the song. One listen and you'll know exactly why it's nicknamed "The Yeah, Yeah song". Musically, with a touch of funk, Patrick (bass) and Carl (drums) are laying down a strong dance inducing rhythm; and the standout guitar, piano and sax leads from Steve, Merlyn and Noel respectively, are exactly that - standout!
Since you're already on the dance floor, and The Love Dealers are still pounding out soulful, dance floor filling music - stay there! This cover of a Junior Walker & The All Stars track titled "Pucker Up Butter Cup" sounds as fresh now as it did fifty years ago. That said, hearing Michele coyly singing "Pucker up Buttercup, I want to kiss you just one time" does sound sexier than when Junior sang it. As you might expect, Noel is all over the saxophone on this one.
I know I say this every time I hear one and here I go again. I am a sucker for a slow, bluesy ballad when it's sung by a female vocalist with a great voice. "Pushing Away Love" is that slow, bluesy ballad and Michele D'Amour is that female vocalist with a great voice. Musically, this one is as beautiful as it is vocally. Excellent track!
"Tough Breaks and Bad Decisions" - we've all had some, and we've all made some. While lamenting over hers, Michele claims that "Tough breaks and bad decisions will be the end of me". Musically, with Patrick and Carl in a powerful rhythm groove on the bass and drums, this is another of the band's many dancefloor fillers.
The opening line of "The Visitor" - "What's that shadow at the window? I feel a chill run down my spine. Something's coming for a new soul, I just pray it isn't mine." - is an eerie situation that obviously has Michele concerned. That said, the vibe the band is laying down is the perfect accompaniment for the mysterious happening: the deep, dark rhythm sounds unsettling; the piano leads sound edgy; and the whispering of the flute from Noel brings it all together with a supernatural feel. For me, the flute - which in my opinion is just not used enough - made this one.
The disc closes with somewhat of an inspirational track titled "Let Go Of These Blues". It's a song about realizing that regardless of how bad things may get, you can always make them get better. As Michele says, "Life is so short, you don't have much time. When I feel broken down, well, I still have my mind. I wish I had known there were so many clues, and I've got to let go of these blues". This slow bluesy number features the usual tight rhythm; killer blues guitar leads from Steve; and heavenly keyboard work from Merlyn.
Other tracks on What It's All About" include: "Runaround" and "Broken People".
Find out more about Michele D'Amour And The Love Dealers, check them out at www.micheledamourandthelovedealers.com. BTW, when you contact Michele, please tell her that the Blewzzman sent you.
