Presumed Innocent
Marcia Ball · 2001
52 min · 13 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of blues and boogie-woogie, infused with Louisiana's rich musical heritage and Marcia Ball's soulful piano melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Scene of the Crime — This track opens the album with a catchy groove and clever storytelling that sets the tone for Ball’s lyrical exploration of heartache and resilience.
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You Make It Hard — Featuring a compelling rhythm and passionate vocals, this song showcases Ball's ability to blend personal emotion with upbeat sounds, making it a standout track.
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Count the Days — With its poignant lyrics and memorable melody, this track encapsulates themes of longing and reflection, highlighting Ball's songwriting prowess.
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I Have the Right to Know — This song combines deep emotional resonance with a driving beat, illustrating Ball's skill in addressing complex feelings through engaging music.
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Shake a Leg — An infectious boogie-woogie number, this track exemplifies Ball's energetic style and ability to get audiences moving while maintaining lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and vibrant performances, balancing energetic tracks with more introspective moments.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving piano riff that sets a lively tone, maintaining an upbeat tempo through the first half.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, emphasizing the communal feel typical of blues music.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- infectious rhythms for dancing
- soulful storytelling with warmth
- engaging tracks for gatherings
- uplifting energy for celebrations
Maybe skip if you
- seeking introspective solitude
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2001, Marcia Ball was solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in the Louisiana blues scene with 'Presumed Innocent,' her first album since 1999's 'Sing It!' This release marked a moment of creative maturity for Ball, showcasing her distinctive sound that blends Texas and New Orleans influences while reinforcing her status as a celebrated songwriter and performer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Irma Thomas· Patti LaBelle· Keb' Mo'
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Scene of the Crime 3:12
- 2 You Make It Hard 4:01
- 3 Count the Days 3:29
- 4 Let the Tears Roll Down 5:43
- 5 Louella 4:27
- 6 Fly on the Wall 4:22
- 7 I Have the Right to Know 4:50
- 8 Thibodaux, Louisiana 3:30
- 9 I'm Coming Down With the Blues 4:01
- 10 Shake a Leg 2:57
- 11 Somebody to Love 3:34
- 12 She's So Innocent 4:55
- 13 You Make Me Happy 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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