Torie Tyson's self-released debut CD, "You're gonna get it in the End", is as surprisingly entertaining as are her live shows, which are bundles of pent-up energy and camp exploding into a double take of charm and satisfaction.

The back cover of the CD, which has the diminutive Tyson super-imposed into a scene from the Marlon Brando classic "The Wild Ones", tips the listener off that Torie is no alternative introverted little lost femme-fatale with religious, philosophical and sexual problems. This girl gets it on, yet she is not a blues-rock belter because she belts pop. Mostly she reminds me of a big-voiced Petula Clark, a rock n' rhythm and blues Dolly Parton. Her song writing is as catchy as it is unpretentious. Players Mike McLaughlin (guitar), Paul Houston (guitars), Matt Arroyo (bass), Dave Roman (keyboards) and Jim Guercio (drums) take Tyson's cue and keep the parts and tracks equally straight ahead. Born in Detroit, Rock City and raised in Chicago, Torie Tyson is the offspring of a Copacabana singer who was discovered by Milton Berle. In 1997, Rock City News awarded her "Best local Pop Rock Performer" the week after she released her debut CD. A week later, Music Connection concurred by selecting the singer one of "L.A.'s Top 100 Unsigned Local Acts." Tyson began singing in her teens. Her first full-fledged performance came at Marla's Memory Lane (the now defunct R&B/Jazz nightclub owned by actress Marla Gibbs) for a talent night. "I was the only white girl there," Tyson recalls.

L.A. Express

August 27, 1998