Serbian blues artist finds ‘Love’

“As all my previous records are, I like to do something new and kind of a change.”

Ana Popovic

Blues guitarist

By JOHN BENSON

vindicator correspondent

When it came time for Ana Popovic to write and record her latest effort, “Blind For Love,” all the female blues guitarist had to do was look back at her 2007 album “Still Making History” for inspiration.

“As all my previous records are, I like to do something new and kind of a change,” said the Belgrade, Serbia, native, calling from Amsterdam.

“So ‘Blind For Love’ is different from ‘Still Making History,’ which was kind of a political record. I let all of my frustrations and anger out about being born where I was born and the struggles of the people who still live there. I was really struck by the way the people live in third-world countries and how little possibilities they have in life, and that they can’t really do what they want in life. So ‘Still Making History’ was a message that you should have the ability to go on and do what you want to do.”

She added, “And ‘Blind For Love’ is different. These are stories about love because I thought, in the end, no matter how rich or poor we are, we can’t be truly happy or fulfilled if we don’t have love in life. And not only what John Lennon was talking about, but I’m thinking more family and people that need us and our friends that are there for us. And no matter if we’re working all day trying to get a better house or a better car, the truth is all we need is love. This is sort of a thing where we should all slow down and enjoy everyday life.”

Admittedly smelling the roses for the first time in a while, Popovic said “Blind For Love” is filled with a diverse array of tracks that she feels truly show off her blues-guitar talents. This includes the roots-based “Steal Me Away,” the gospel-meets-jam band-sounding “Putting Out The APB,” the rocking “Wrong Woman” and the jazz-oriented “The Only Reason.”

“There are all new sounds on this record,” said Popovic, who learned about the blues as a little girl listening to her dad’s record collection. “There are jazzy sounds and slow blues. They are all kind of differences from what I did before. And while there’s quite enough guitar on it, it’s not like show-off and right-in-your-face thing. Sometimes people do that to prove they are good.”

Even though Popovic tours the world, including a show Friday at Youngstown’s Dash Inn, she specifically remembers her previous Northeast Ohio gigs.

“Sure, I’ll never forget,” Popovic said. “I’m looking forward very much to coming back. I thought it was a cool audience with all kinds of people. We’re going to have a really powerful show.”