Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: June 3
It's no secret to Texas that Ruthie Foster's been touched by the spirit of Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, and one of these days, everybody else is going to know it too. Over the course of her short career, she's shown she can hold her own interpreting material by Son House, Lucinda Williams, John Prine or Curtis Mayfield, and just as convincingly move a listener to tears with a few bars of a spiritual.
Following a four-year hitch in a U.S. Navy band and dues paid playing in New York City clubs, Foster returned to her native roots in the '90s. She broke out with her 2002 effort, Runaway Soul, produced by Lloyd Maines. Its mix of folk, blues and gospel (in that order), helped her become a darling of the folk music festival circuit and a bona fide regional star. Its live follow-up, Stages, recorded primarily at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin, proved that the hype was actually true.
Although at times Foster's folkie reputation precedes her, the majority of The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster can't be called anything but a classic Motown record. With the help of gifted producer Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne, the disc reveals Foster's growing confidence as a songwriter, and shows her stepping out on a creative ledge (see "Phenomenal Woman," a song set to a Maya Angelou poem). Furthering her explorations into soul and R&B — replete with hearty incantations of hope, faith and the search for the truth — Foster collaborated with jazz and blues guitarist Robben Ford, key men Jim Dickinson and Charles Hodges, and the Memphis Horns on 2009's The Truth According To Ruthie Foster, which was recorded in Memphis’ renowned Ardent Studios. © 2009 Nigel Music Media LLC.
It's no secret to Texas that Ruthie Foster's been touched by the spirit of Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, and one of these days, everybody else is going to know it too. Over the course of her short career, she's shown she can hold her own interpreting material by Son House, Lucinda Williams, John Prine or Curtis Mayfield, and just as convincingly move a listener to tears with a few bars of a spiritual.
Following a four-year hitch in a U.S. Navy band and dues paid playing in New York City clubs, Foster returned to her native roots in the '90s. She broke out with her 2002 effort, Runaway Soul, produced by Lloyd Maines. Its mix of folk, blues and gospel (in that order), helped her become a darling of the folk music festival circuit and a bona fide regional star. Its live follow-up, Stages, recorded primarily at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin, proved that the hype was actually true.
Although at times Foster's folkie reputation precedes her, the majority of The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster can't be called anything but a classic Motown record. With the help of gifted producer Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne, the disc reveals Foster's growing confidence as a songwriter, and shows her stepping out on a creative ledge (see "Phenomenal Woman," a song set to a Maya Angelou poem). Furthering her explorations into soul and R&B — replete with hearty incantations of hope, faith and the search for the truth — Foster collaborated with jazz and blues guitarist Robben Ford, key men Jim Dickinson and Charles Hodges, and the Memphis Horns on 2009's The Truth According To Ruthie Foster, which was recorded in Memphis’ renowned Ardent Studios. © 2009 Nigel Music Media LLC.
Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: June 17
One of the four Neville Brothers, Cyril Neville was the youngest, born on January 10, 1948, in New Orleans, LA. Cyril picked up his love of music from his parents and his older brothers at an early age, but it wasn't until 1967 (at the age of 19) that Cyril began singing professionally, as he united with brothers Art and Aaron in the outfit Art Neville and the Neville Sounds, playing the New Orleans club circuit on a regular basis. Cyril and Aaron eventually left the group, forming another outfit, Soul Machine, shortly thereafter. 1970 saw the release of Cyril's debut solo single, "Gossip" b/w "Tell Me What's On Your Mind," which included backing music by brother Art's new outfit, the Meters. Soul Machine relocated to Nashville, then New York, but both moves failed to help put the group over the top. It just so happened at this time that the Meters were looking to expand their lineup, and asked Cyril to join in on vocals and congas -- contributing to such albums as 1972's Cabbage Alley and 1975's Fire on the Bayou, while the Meters opened up for the Rolling Stones during a sold-out 1974 U.S. tour.
Just as the Meters splintered in 1976, Cyril became enraptured with reggae music (thanks to Bob Marley's landmark Natty Dread album), as all four Neville siblings formed the Neville Brothers group, issuing numerous subsequent recordings. In addition to his work with the Neville Brothers, Cyril has formed other bands over the years, including the Endangered Species Band in 1983 and the Uptown Allstars Band, while he also found time to launch his own record label, Endangered Species. Cyril also founded the New Orleans Musicians Organized (NOMO), which helps musicians who need business advice with their careers. Cyril Neville has issued several solo albums on his own over the years, including 1995's The Fire This Time, and a pair in 2000, New Orleans Cookin' and Soulo. Plus he has guested on various other artist's recordings over the years, including albums by Edie Brickell, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Daniel Lanois, and Willie Nelson, among others. Since the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Cyril and his family have called Austin home. It is an honor to have Cyril & Co. as Austinites - and to have him return to Blues On The Green.
One of the four Neville Brothers, Cyril Neville was the youngest, born on January 10, 1948, in New Orleans, LA. Cyril picked up his love of music from his parents and his older brothers at an early age, but it wasn't until 1967 (at the age of 19) that Cyril began singing professionally, as he united with brothers Art and Aaron in the outfit Art Neville and the Neville Sounds, playing the New Orleans club circuit on a regular basis. Cyril and Aaron eventually left the group, forming another outfit, Soul Machine, shortly thereafter. 1970 saw the release of Cyril's debut solo single, "Gossip" b/w "Tell Me What's On Your Mind," which included backing music by brother Art's new outfit, the Meters. Soul Machine relocated to Nashville, then New York, but both moves failed to help put the group over the top. It just so happened at this time that the Meters were looking to expand their lineup, and asked Cyril to join in on vocals and congas -- contributing to such albums as 1972's Cabbage Alley and 1975's Fire on the Bayou, while the Meters opened up for the Rolling Stones during a sold-out 1974 U.S. tour.
Just as the Meters splintered in 1976, Cyril became enraptured with reggae music (thanks to Bob Marley's landmark Natty Dread album), as all four Neville siblings formed the Neville Brothers group, issuing numerous subsequent recordings. In addition to his work with the Neville Brothers, Cyril has formed other bands over the years, including the Endangered Species Band in 1983 and the Uptown Allstars Band, while he also found time to launch his own record label, Endangered Species. Cyril also founded the New Orleans Musicians Organized (NOMO), which helps musicians who need business advice with their careers. Cyril Neville has issued several solo albums on his own over the years, including 1995's The Fire This Time, and a pair in 2000, New Orleans Cookin' and Soulo. Plus he has guested on various other artist's recordings over the years, including albums by Edie Brickell, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Daniel Lanois, and Willie Nelson, among others. Since the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Cyril and his family have called Austin home. It is an honor to have Cyril & Co. as Austinites - and to have him return to Blues On The Green.
Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: July 1
Jimmie Vaughan is far more than just one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of popular music. As Guitar Player magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity--a living legend.” After all, Vaughan provides a vital link between contemporary music and its proud heritage, as well as being a longtime avatar of retro cool. Since releasing his first solo album in 1994, he has set the standard for quality modern roots music. Throughout his career, Vaughan has earned the esteem of his legendary guitar-playing heroes and superstar peers along with successive generations of young players. His musical ethos and personal style have had an impact on contemporary culture, from spearheading the current blues revival with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his longtime, innate fashion sense of slicked-back hair and sharp vintage threads (now seen throughout the pages of contemporary fashion journals) to becoming a premier designer of classic custom cars. But for Jimmie Vaughan, none of it is part of a crusade or a career plan. It’s just his natural way of living his life and pursuing the interests that have captivated Vaughan since his youth.
Jimmie Vaughan is far more than just one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of popular music. As Guitar Player magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity--a living legend.” After all, Vaughan provides a vital link between contemporary music and its proud heritage, as well as being a longtime avatar of retro cool. Since releasing his first solo album in 1994, he has set the standard for quality modern roots music. Throughout his career, Vaughan has earned the esteem of his legendary guitar-playing heroes and superstar peers along with successive generations of young players. His musical ethos and personal style have had an impact on contemporary culture, from spearheading the current blues revival with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his longtime, innate fashion sense of slicked-back hair and sharp vintage threads (now seen throughout the pages of contemporary fashion journals) to becoming a premier designer of classic custom cars. But for Jimmie Vaughan, none of it is part of a crusade or a career plan. It’s just his natural way of living his life and pursuing the interests that have captivated Vaughan since his youth.
Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: July 15
Singer/pianist Marcia Ball knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking, roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. Over the course of her three-decade career, Ball has earned a huge and intensely loyal following all over the world. Her exquisite piano playing and passionate, playful vocals fuse New Orleans and Gulf Coast R&B with Austin's deep songwriting tradition into a sound No Depression described as "a little rock, a lot of roll, a pinch of rhythm and a handful of blues.
Singer/pianist Marcia Ball knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking, roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. Over the course of her three-decade career, Ball has earned a huge and intensely loyal following all over the world. Her exquisite piano playing and passionate, playful vocals fuse New Orleans and Gulf Coast R&B with Austin's deep songwriting tradition into a sound No Depression described as "a little rock, a lot of roll, a pinch of rhythm and a handful of blues.
Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: July 29
with Shelley King and Cindy Cashdollar
A musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.
“She'd grown up the child of a singer in a band and began playing her mother's vintage Martin guitar when other girls were dressing dolls. She'd gone from being the teenage toast of her hometown Houston to sleeping in her van in Austin amid heaps of critical acclaim for fine recordings Alcohol & Salvation, Bloodless Revolution, and most recently, Miss Understood.
Along with the guitar and the multitude of other instruments she learned to play – trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel – Wonderland's ability to whistle remains most unusual. Whistling is a uniquely vocal art seldom invoked in modern music, yet it's among the most spectacular talents the human voice possesses.
with Shelley King and Cindy Cashdollar
A musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.
“She'd grown up the child of a singer in a band and began playing her mother's vintage Martin guitar when other girls were dressing dolls. She'd gone from being the teenage toast of her hometown Houston to sleeping in her van in Austin amid heaps of critical acclaim for fine recordings Alcohol & Salvation, Bloodless Revolution, and most recently, Miss Understood.
Along with the guitar and the multitude of other instruments she learned to play – trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel – Wonderland's ability to whistle remains most unusual. Whistling is a uniquely vocal art seldom invoked in modern music, yet it's among the most spectacular talents the human voice possesses.
Playing KGSR Blues On The Green: August 12
Papa Mali’s unique sound creates a fresh resurrection of the swampy and bluesy sounds of Papa Mali’s youth. Growing up in Louisiana and living in Austin for the past 20 years, Papa Mali’s music has become an amalgamation of two of the most musically diverse hot spots in the country, witnessing the heyday of musicians such as The Meters, The Wild Tchopitoulas, James Booker and Professor Longhair. Papa has recently toured with B.B. King, Derek Trucks Band, Galactic and Widespread Panic and was featured in Guitar Player Magazine, Hittin’ The Note, Offbeat, Downbeat and Big City Blues, Blues Revue and has an August feature coming in Relix Magazine.
Papa Mali’s unique sound creates a fresh resurrection of the swampy and bluesy sounds of Papa Mali’s youth. Growing up in Louisiana and living in Austin for the past 20 years, Papa Mali’s music has become an amalgamation of two of the most musically diverse hot spots in the country, witnessing the heyday of musicians such as The Meters, The Wild Tchopitoulas, James Booker and Professor Longhair. Papa has recently toured with B.B. King, Derek Trucks Band, Galactic and Widespread Panic and was featured in Guitar Player Magazine, Hittin’ The Note, Offbeat, Downbeat and Big City Blues, Blues Revue and has an August feature coming in Relix Magazine.
