Blue eyed soul is defined as R&B or soul music performed by white people, but only a handful of vocalists can truly pull it off without sounding ridiculous.  I am personally partial to women who can belt out a tune with as much passion as Aretha and artists such as Alison Monet, Lisa Standsfield, Joan Osborne; and as much as I hate to admit it, Christina Aguilera can do just that.

While Seattle’s own Carrie Akre is best know as a rocker, her explorations into soul-based music broke her out of the grunge cluster, which she first found fame with.  Hammerbox was possibly the most under-rated of the flannel wearing rockers who put the emerald city back on the musical map.  Dogged by A&M Records, the band dissolved as its front-woman fled to form the post-grunge band, Goodness, which lasted a couple of years before Akre decided to change direction.

Her first solo release, 2000’s Home, was a total departure from her punkish metal-driven past, as she incorporated string, piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and gently brushed drums to her self-penned soulful ballads.  Now rather than hiding behind a bombastic band, Akre’s powerful voice takes center stage.  â€" Tony Engelhart

[Jazzbones, Saturday, May 19, 8:30 p.m., all ages, $10-$12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma 253.396.9169]