Barbara Blue, a blues and soul singer from Pittsburgh who performed on Beale Street in Memphis for nearly 25 years, recorded From the Shoals at Nutthouse Studios in Sheffield, Alabama. The album’s recording location explains its title, a reference to Muscle Shoals and the Alabama locale where many soul music classics were recorded in the ’60s and ’70s.

From the Shoals gets a powerful start with “The Shoals.” An original song co-written by Blue, it namechecks great singers who recorded in the Muscle Shoals area. Funky, soulful and brassy, the song serves its singer well, spotlighting her formidable voice. But the similarly vibrant remake of the Etta James’ 1968 hit, “Tell Mama,” and a warm rendition of another hit from Muscle Shoals, Jimmy Hughes’ country-soul ballad, “Steal Away,” are the only other songs on the 13-track From the Shoals that effectively showcase Blue and her session musicians. The latter include drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, bassist David Hood, organist Clayton Ivy and guitarist Will McFarlane, all storied musicians.

In the wake of “The Shoals,” “Tell Mama” and “Steal Away,” the remainder of From the Shoals is a bait and switch. Mostly atmospheric, heavy ballads, the other songs are co-written by Blue with either pianist Mark Narmore or guitarist Davor Hacic. Their songwriting skews to the ordinary. And Blue’s voice, undeniably strong though it is, can stray off pitch. From the Shoals has more misses than bullseyes.