Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Celleste Ready to Fly Company: Mighty Music Release: 2012 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Strutter

Powder keg of talent

If you remember the time when Maria McKee and Lone Justice blew onto the scene, you will also recognize that few female vocalists have been able to capture those power house coquettish-esque vocals and dynamo presence since...that is until Celleste.

Montreal's enigmatic singer/songwriter has put out an impressive debut cd entitled: "Ready to Fly" and a more aptly named offering would be hard to find.

Moving easily from the hard rocking debut single, "Real love" to soulful ballads like "Beyond Words", "Ready to Fly" demonstrates Celleste's musical prowess and vocal dexterity and as a debut, Celleste has come out of the gate compellingly seductive, passionate and powerful. Just ask Alice Cooper, whom she recently opened for during his tour stop in Montreal.

Her official bio states that she was inspired by the rock bands of the 60's and 70's and certainly, that has given her the juice to rev up her own blend of Modern Classic Rock, mixing rock, folk, blues and pop easily. She explains the roots of this eclectic blend in her own words: "I'd often hear Led Zeppelin blasting in my brother's room while dad was strumming Chet Atkins tunes in the basement... then I got my hands on [Lenny Kravitz's] 'Are You Gonna Go My Way', and [Sheryl Crow's] 'Tuesday Night Music Club'. Throw in some CCR, Black Crowes and Janis Joplin, perform it all like Steven Tyler and Madonna, and presto... you know all my secrets."

Well, it's doubtful we know all of Celleste's secrets yet, because if "Ready to Fly" is any indication, the best is yet to come. This is one dynamo of a singer, with a microphone in one hand and a powder keg of talent in the other.