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Flanfire (Duggan Flanakin) is bringing LIFE to Austin music -- and telling the world how sweet it is!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Leeann: Austin's Brown-Eyed Soul!
Leeann up close and personal, and giving up the spotlight to harmonica player Clark Drake (assisted by his mom - the fabulous Shelley King) -- it is moments like this that make Friday Night Church with Leeann something not to be missed.
Many readers of this column may find it redundant to explain just how good a singer is the Queen of the Barn Dance, Miss Leeann Atherton. Sideman Jackson says in several years on stage at Maria's Tacos every Friday (and lots of other gigs, too) he has never heard her miss a note. Well, Leeann has FINALLY gotten her new CD -- Every Day Dream -- out on the street (with another, acoustic CD just waiting in the wings for its own release). Leeann wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 14 songs - the others are by Jackson, Mike Stevenson, and her other sideman Sunny Coleman (with collaborators) -- all of which can sometimes be heard live on Fridays as the dancers sweat the hard stuff and others swig Dos Equis and chomp down on the al carbon!
Superstar (on the way up) Papa Mali plays slide guitar on two of the first three cuts [with Jackson and Sunny Coleman on guitars, Courtney Audain on bass, and the legendary Frosty Smith on drums] to get the record off to a GREAT start -- Bored with the Blues and Coleman's "Hard Stuff." For years, everyone has known that the best song Leeann sings is Jackson's "These Brown Eyes," which he wrote especially for her -- and having Courtney Audain play bass and produce this track (and the other three he plays on) just makes this classic even better. Papa Mali and the gang also play on "Mambo John," a tribute to one of Austin's all-time most beloved heroes (who ought to have his own statue alongside that of Stevie Ray for all of the love - and great talent - he brought to our fair city). Many folks used to watching Mambo John play the washboard might never have realized that he was one of the most creative jazz drummers anywhere. [Rumor has it we get some Mambo on the upcoming acoustic recording.]
Johnny Mac plays guitar on several tracks, beginning with "If You Can't Love Me," a down and dirty blues that also features Riley Osbourn (who cowrote this tune) on the Hammond B3 organ, John Chipman on drums, and Robert Ramos on bass. It's Mac, Mike Roberts (bass), and Jeff Schunk (drums) backing Leeann on "Angels Singing the Blues," cowritten with the lake "Doc" Penridge [Doc also cowrote and played acoustic guitar on the outtake, "Tenderness."] It's Mac, Ramos, and Chipman on the absolutely SMOKIN' "Woman & Man," yet another funky blues tune.
Another group of songs features Larry Wilson on guitar, Marty Linville on bass, and Keith Robinson on drums -- "Just My Man," "Too Many Tears," "Something To Crow About," and "Change Your Mind," which also features Mike Cross on backing vocals. Stevenson's "I'm Not Responsible" features Matt Giles on electric guitar, Mike himself on acoustic guitar, Mark Utter on bass, and the died much much too young Kris Van Robbins on drums -- this cut was recorded live at KUT. Finally, "What's Your Situation" features coauthor Jay Patten on saxophone, Fred Tacket on guitar, John Hobbs on keyboards, Joe Chemay on bass, and some guy named Mark on drums [apparently Leeann does not know his last name, either]. Listen to this one and you will begin to BEG for horns on Fridays. Just for the record, that's SIX drummers -- plus Mambo John's great spirit.
Those who love Leeann as a songwriter as well as a singer have been waiting for what seems eternity for this collection -- the only thing that is absent here is a live recording on DVD of Leeann singing "Summertime" or just about anything else on the now-defunct original Maria's stage. Okay - I would LOVE to hear "Something to Crow About" with Alvin Crow and his band backing Leeann -- give her a little of Neal Flanz' pedal steel to play against -- but, then, again, THIS is a R&B record with a heavy emphasis on the B.
Now as you read this, just ask yourself, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN since I sweated in the dust at Maria's and truly got to experience Friday Night Church with Leeann, Sunnyman, and Jackson - and a growing cast of characters in the floating rhythm section.
Blues Mafia with Sasha Zoe Coming to the Paramount!
Sasha Zoe (Max Frost on guitar); Blues Mafia - Max, Kai, Chris, and Patrick - won the
right to play the Paramount on Tuesday for the Young Director's Cut Awards Show.
Now on Sunday afternoon, I had the great privilege of rolling down to the Firehouse in Manchac for a benefit concert that featured some of the stars from this summer's Rock Camp -- specifically, Blues Mafia with special guest Sasha (Ortiz) Zoe. This same band will be playing on Tuesday at 7:00 sharp for the Third Annual Young Director's Cut Awards Show at the Paramount Theater (sponsored by Time Warner Austin). Louis Black of the Austin Chronicle will be the guest speaker at the show, which will unveil the winning public service announcements written and produced by elementary through high school students and highlighting their school, teacher or community organization.
Blues Mafia plays Tuesdays at the Troubadour Saloon on Sixth Street - a place they are five to seven years too young to frequent except as musicians. Bassist Kai Roach and drummer Chris Copeland provide the rhythm, while guitarists Max Frost (who just turned 14!) and Patrick Mertens show skills beyond their years (thanks in large part to summer rock camps). Mertens is also a gifted singer - able to keep up with the booming vocals provided for these two shows by Sasha Zoe (her new stage name - same as mama Natalie's), who is an "older woman" of nineteen. Five years of learning at the feet of Malford Milligan have given Sasha the inspiration and the "presence" on stage that led budding diva Wendy Colonna to call her "that ball of fire." [Kai and Chris have another band that plays Wednesdays at Baby Acapulco in Gateway.] With kids like these, there is no fear here that Austin will ever even come CLOSE to losing its well deserved title as the Live Music Capital of the World.
Finally - I hope folks will notice my "buddy" New -- that's New Song, a group that helps women leave the sex industry. Maybe you know someone - or (as Arlo would say) you ARE someone looking for a helping hand. Here 'tis.
