Bring Honey to the party

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 06/08/2009
My thanks go out to a very special group of readers that always comment about how they love reading my column—even if they don’t understand it. So for the AARP faithful, I hope you check out my friend, Melody Gardot.

I first wrote about Ms. Gardot back in May of 2008.  Her follow-up to Worrisome Heart is titled My One And Only Thrill. Melody’s soft vocals and piano are accompanied by gorgeous orchestral string arrangements on the opening track “Baby I’m A Fool.” 

The Philadelphia-based Gardot will have you reminiscing about the great American songbook writers of Tin Pan Alley with numbers like, “Who Will Comfort Me Now,” and, “If The Stars Were Mine.” To hear more from the comforts of your computer, visit www.myspace.com/melody.

Now to change gears 180-degrees. If you’re ready to party, then live from Austin, Texas comes Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears with their new album, Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! 

With influences from the likes of James Brown, Hound Dog Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf, and our own Rocket From The Tombs, you’ll get blown right out of your chair with the opening guitar riff, organ, and horns of the lead track, “Gunpowder.”

The Honey Bears pack a powerful horn section that will remind you of all those great rhythm and blues artists like Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. The band puts even more gas on the pedal with the next track, “Sugarfoot,” and then slows to a funky groove with “I’m Broke.” 

The 27-year-old Lewis, who plays lead guitar along with vocals and song writing credits, explodes on blues numbers “Big Booty Woman” and “Boogie.” The 11-piece outfit jams on their own soul classic titled “Bobby Booshay.” You can sample all of Black Joe Lewis’s songs at www.myspace.com/blackjoelewis.

Melody Gardot and Black Joe Lewis’ records and CD’s are available at your local neighborhood music stores. Back issues from this writer can be found at www.mimivanderhaven.com/minkinsmusic.

Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com.

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