Video Wednesday:

Susan Cowsill and a song from her new album Lighthouse.

BUY THIS ALBUM!

Ok, I can't give any better recommendation than the fact that I did buy this album, even though I'm supposed to be getting a free copy in the mail.  (You can still send it Mary, I bought it on ITunes and would still enjoy having a physical copy of the album.)  I've been excited about this album for awhile now, even before she decided to record it.

The album is Mary Lasseigne's Mary Jane and the Brian Surgeon.

I first became a fan of Mary Lasseigne when I saw her singing background for other acts.  She been around for awhile now, singing as part of a group or doing backups with such artists as Susan Cowsill or Paul Sanchez.  For a brief while she was a member of Cowboy Mouth.

This is pop music at its best.  Mary has a wonderful voice and her music is as good if not better than anything out there right now.  While the music bounces the lyrics deal with love lost, parents missed and memories of Katrina.

Till now she's been content to be in the background.  To be a member of a group.  I hope this won't be the only solo album we see from her.  Coming up soon will be our first full length Voices to hear interview and Mary Lasseigne will be our first interviewee.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today we feature Susan Cowsill and "Just Believe It" from he 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage show.

French Quarter Fest: Susan Cowsill

After the show I was talking to Mary Lasseigne, who play guitar with Susan and is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right, and told her how much I enjoyed their performance and she said "We had a lot of fun on stage."  I don't think I could sum it up any better than that.

When you go to a Susan Cowsill show it's going to be fun.  No one has more fun than Susan on stage.  I love her stage banter, she'll start on one subject and veer off on a tangent and forget what she started talking about, only to remember it at the last moment and finish her thought.  Her enjoyment is contagious.

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it.  Susan is one of the best that we have.  Her songwriting is as good or better than just about any song out there right now.  Her singing is as good or better than just about anything on the radio right now.  For the life of me I can't understand why she isn't a bigger name.

She's got a new album coming out this month.  (She was selling advance copies at the show, but ran out by the time I got over there to buy one.  Drat!)  It's called Lighthouse and she did a few numbers from it.  Her opening number "Dragonflies"  was in memory of her brother Barry who died in Katrina.  It's a sweet song, with memories of the two of them as kids.  She followed that up with a song written by Barry that's become a staple of her live shows.  Than a song from her former band The Continental Drifters.  This woman has a treasure trove of songs to pick from

Another new song from her forthcoming album was "Oh Nola."  It was written not long after Katrina when Susan and her husband were planning on leaving the city and moving elsewhere.  I remember picking up an issue of Offbeat at the time with Susan on the cover and the headline hinting that she was moving and I can still feel the sadness I felt at that moment.  We've lost too many musicians since Katrina, moving away for newer and I hate to say better places, and I can't blame them.  When they can find a better home and a city that encourages and pays them better in their profession you can't lay blame, but it still is a sad thing when a city built on music can't support its musicians.  Even though I would have understood it would have broke my heart to see her leave.  I was so happy to read that they had decided to stay in the city.  "Oh Nola" was written as a lament to the city when she thought she was leaving.

Along the way we were also treated to a song from the talented Mary Lasseigne.  While Mary was playing she has a habit of staying towards the back and even when she sang her song she didn't come forward.  But as Mary played guitar on Susan's songs you could see she was having fun too, she would pogo up and down, her hair whipping around.  Mary sang her song "Rebecca Sunshine" that we featured as a Song of the Day recently.  Her new album Mary Jane and the Brain Surgeon comes out this coming week.

At the end Susan had to chose between songs left on her set list, she had talked too much to fit everything in.  She gave the choice to the audience.  When one of the songs was "Crescent City Snow" there wasn't much of a choice.  She ended with this song, written shortly after Katrina when Susan and family were exiled to Tenneesse, and an ode to life in the city.   Susan may not have been born in this city, but she has become one of its true daughters.

French Quarter Fest: John Boutte

I should know by now that I am going to be amazed at a John Boutte show.  Everytime I have seen him live he pulls some song out that just leaves my mouth hanging open with the sheer artistry of it.  The first time I ever saw him, not really being that familiar with him I was literally blown away by his version of "City of New Orleans."  That was always a song I loved by Arlo Gutherie but after hearing John Boutte sing it live that song now belonged to him.  In fact I was so taken with that song by him I made it my phone ringer.  Than at a New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Show he did a version of Paul Simon's "American Tune" with just Paul Sanchez on guitar that again left me speechless.

Today's show was supposed to be another of Paul Sanchez's Rolling Road shows.  Paul acts as the ringleader for these shows, but he always brings a lot of guest musicians.  John Boutte was one of those that was supposed to appear with Paul today.  Unfortunately Paul was too sick to attend, so the show fell on John Boutte's shoulders.  You could tell that he wasn't prepared for this to be a solo Boutte show.  The musicians and he weren't on the same page of what songs they were supposed to play.  They braved their way through it, with a lot of long pauses between songs while they conferred on what to do next.  Up to that point I was enjoying the show, but it was really nothing spectacular.  Honestly they were taking too long inbetween songs when they only had ninety minutes to do their show.

Than John let the other musicians take a break and he did an Acapella version of Lennon/McCartney's "Blackbird."   Again he was creating art as he sang.  The band came back and he brought one of his sisters out to sing.  She did a couple songs and proved that talent did indeed run in the Boutte family.  Than again the band left and he did "American Tune" with no instruments but his voice.  Again he has taken a song best known by another and made it his own.

Than he did something I thought almost impossible.  He sat down at the piano and began the Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah."  Now once upon a time I liked this song, but over the last year or so you can't escape it, especially Jeff Buckley's version of it.  Every TV show has to feature it at some point.  Truthfully I've grown tired of the song.  But as John played at the piano and sang I heard the wizardy in this song again.  As he sang Susan Cowsill came out with John's sister and they started providing harmony.  This song took on a new life.  I could only wish that these shows were taped like at the Jazz Fest, but regrettably are not.

Afterwards the band came back and they finished with a few more numbers.  It's shows like this that help me realize why I love music so much.

SONG OF THE DAY

This might not quite be a Christmas song but it fits in, it features our favorite Susan Cowsill again and tells about the time it snowed on Christmas Day in New Orleans, which for our city down here in the south is a fairly rare thing. It's called "Crescent City Snow."

SONG OF THE DAY

Christmas is coming and we present "Christmas Time" by Voices favorite Susan Cowsill from her album Just Believe It.

French Quarter Fest: Susan Cowsill

Today at the French Quarter Fest Susan Cowsill performed another amazing show. Paul Sanchez sat in for a couple songs. Mary LaSang played bass with the band and did one of her own songs.

Susan, as always, put on a great show. Her shows are always good and they are so much fun. She likes to talk to the audience and let them know what she's thinking and what was on her mind when she wrote some of the songs she's playing. This is her first show I've seen in awhile and she's brought a new mix of songs to the table. For the first time that I've seen she does an old Cowsills number. She drops in more than a few Continental Drifters songs and quite a few new ones from her upcoming album. The new songs sound great and I can't wait for the new album.

Everytime I see her live though I come away with one burning question. Why isn't this woman a star? She writes some of the best pop songs ever and her voice is as good or better than just about anyone on the radio today. I just can't understand why she is still struggling to put her music out and so much of what we hear on the radio is dreck.

French Quarter Fest: Mary LaSang

Mary LaSang played with Susan Cowsill today at the French Quarter Fest and did a song of her own. This girl has some talent.

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SIMPLY SIX: Mary LaSang

Mary is a singer/songwriter/bandmember/bass player from Louisiana. She was a member of Cowboy Mouth for awhile. She performs with Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show. She is a member of the new group The Kinky Tuscaderos. She says she likes being a member of a group and has put plans for her solo album on hold for the moment. Hopefully she'll reconsider that thought and continue work on her solo album. Go to her MySpace Page and check out how good she is as an artist in her own right.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I'd say it was during the first and only performance of my first band, The Electric Bananas. I was 8 and thought I had I convinced 3 of my brothers to sing and dance to "The Locomotion". We rehearsed; we held bananas for mics. When I left to knock on my neighbors' doors to tell them of our upcoming performance, to which a few came, my brothers bailed out on me. I performed as a solo act, with the philosophy of "the show must go on" already burned into my young little psyche. I think I watched too many episode of The Banana Splits.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I am a music fan first; that's what feeds my inspiration as a writer. I have great friends who turn me onto lots of new music in all genres. In my car right now, I have been listening to MIA, Santogold, Lupe' Fiasco, Blur, The Sugarcubes, Lucinda Williams, Keane, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The White Stripes, Beck - I could go on and on. I think the newest genre I've been turned on to is hip hop, and rap. Great rhythm is to be found there.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I haven't had that one defining, career changing moment on record yet. I feel it's coming soon though.

As far as live, I'd have to say that I have 2: the first was when my Mom, who had Alzheimer's, came with my family to see me perform. It was hard for her to be away from her familiar surroundings, but my Dad (her caretaker) wanted to come to my performance. My Mom stood there and watched me perform, quietly, proudly, and content for the entire hour and a half. That moment told me so much about the power of music, an effect of me playing it, and how much I was loved.

The second moment came while I was performing at a festival, right before Velvet Revolver. I looked back offstage, and saw Duff McKagan watching us. He caught my eye to give me the thumbs up. Still amazes me.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I'm not sure if life imitates art, or art imitates life. I think both to be true. I believe that music can and does change moments in the world, in small and large ways. I helped build a school in Tanzania by performing at a fundraiser with Susan Cowsill. That performance raised the money. I also played at a small, rural festival in Germany, where most of the people spoke no English - but I'll be damned if they didn't know every word to John Denver's "Country Road", which we got pressured into playing, when they spontaneously broke into the song as an encore. It warmed my heart, as I'm sure it does others. Moments like that help bring peace, even for just a minute. Makes life more tolerable and lovable.
Music changes the whole world. All art does.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Music downloading affected all of us. In our unsigned case, it also helps get our music out across the world. I hate that record companies took such a big hit, which in turn made bands take a huge hit. I'm hopeful, and appreciative about things like myspace, which has connected us with numerous gigs, and quite possibly to the funding of my upcoming cd (due to a blog I posted!). Technology has forced us to change - that's always hard. But it seems to be good for our purposes.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Chuck Taylors!

Interview: Paul Sanchez

Paul Sanchez was a founding member of Cowboy Mouth. He's recently left the group and is now on his own. His concerts are billed as the Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show where he performs with different special guests. At the French Quarter Fest this year I happened to catch his show there with John Boutte, Shamar Allen and Susan Cowsill. To call it one of my favorite concert moments is an understatement.


1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I was asked this question a few years ago in a spontaneous moment and before I had time to think I answered. I remember that my father died when I was five and that is when I also started singing. I don't know that I was especially talented but I was encouraged to sing by my whole family. Looking back I realized it was probably that the sound of a five year old singing was prettier then a houseful of people crying.
I have been attracted to playing solo acoustic and my earliest t.v. music memory is McCartney performing Yesterday on the Ed Sullivan Show.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I like Sinatra, Dr. John, the Nevilles, John Boutte, the Boss, the Beatles, Nat King Cole, Cole Porter, a good tune and a great lyric.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I really dig the sense of community a great live show has and that is more difficult to put on a disc, energy and community are intangibles that have to be lived and felt in the recording before they can be heard in the listening. I played in one of the most energetic live bands to come out of New Orleans and for ten releases we made albums lacking in energy and passion. I'm most proud that Dave Pirner, who produced Exit To Mystery Street, was able to put the energy that was bouncing off the walls, on to the disc for people to hear.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Listening to music is a liberating feeling, giving one's self over to its joys. you can change your world and how you feel about it and connect to it with music. I believe in that way music does, has and will continue to change the world. It starts with a person, spreads to a crowd and echoes to forever.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

It is easier to make demos, cheaper to record records, easier to share music with musicians and promoters. I'm still basically an acoustic guitar guy with a batch of songs but it easier to spread the tunes around now.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

The comfortable kind that you slide into and remember you've always loved, the pair you never knew you missed and don't want to take off.

Interview: Susan Cowsill

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Yes, it was MY first performance on the Ed Sullivan show three years after seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan!


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

My all time favorite women singer/songwriter is Karla Bonnoff,,,,,I also love U2,,,,Wiskey Town featuring Ryan Adams...But my all time fav record is Richard Harris singing Jimmy Webbs music


3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Playing for the first time at our home town bar The Carrollton Station in New Orleans after having been evacuated for four months. We were the first band to come home, and I believe the first band to play at the club since the storm. It was the most meaningful night of music I have ever played to the most loving and "in need audience" I have ever played for in all my years as a preformer.


4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Absolutley it can,,,It has! Just look at Bono,,,Farm Aid....George Harrisons Bangledesh.



5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Oh my god!!!!! How hasn't it changed it? The industry I mean. My music?? Not at all. My music, all of our music is unchangeable , it is simply music, our emotions expressed in lyric and sound,,,,,,yeah, thats my answer.


6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Oh this is an easy one, but can I be more than one pair??? Ok. First I am a pair of desert boots with the laces up the front, then I am a pair of fluffy but raelly worn in slippers, preferably velvet outside and lamby fur inside and lastly and mostly,,I am no shoe at all.

Jazz Fest Highlights: Susan Cowsill

I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen Susan Cowsill perform. She's one of those singers that I'll listen to anytime. For this Jazz Fest she was the opening act for the Fest, starting off at the main stage, the Acura Stage. For my money she should have been one of the closing acts. This woman is one of the most talented singers and songwriters in the entire industry. She's been performing since she was a child with her family the Cowsills and than later with the group Continental Drifters, a group which was filled with talent and she was one of the highlights. She introduced a few new songs in her set which is good news. Hopefully this means a new album is on the way.

Scenes From Jazz Fest: Susan Cowsill

The Best of 2007

I'm not going to make a top ten list, because there's no way I could make a list like that. My top picks change day to day, sometimes within the hour. One day I would swear to you a certain album is the best album of the year, catch me the next day and I'll be telling you it's a different album. So what I'm going to do here is just list what I think some of the best albums of the year were. This list will continue throughout the month, as I remember other ablums that were put out this year. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment.

1. Lori McKenna "Unglamarous"

If I was going to make a top ten, this would be somewhere in that top ten. Lori has been a favorite of mine for years, her music has been coming out on small labels until this year. Faith Hill discovered her and recorded three of her songs for her last album and that led Lori to a big label contract with Tim McGraw producing the album. They did a pretty good job of not over producing the music and trying to make her fit into what's hip. It's not my favorite album by Lori, but it's still very good and better than a lot of stuff out there.


2. Jesse Malin "Glitter in the Gutter"
This is Jesse's third solo album. He was the lead singer of the punk group D-Generation. Anyone following him from that group looking for the same will be surprised. Here he's making pop more in the vain of Ryan Adams than the loud angry punk from his former group. Ryan had a hand in this album, as in the previous three. One song "Broken Radio" is a duet with Bruce Springsteen. Jesse writes some really good story songs and his album actually is filled with a lot of hope.

3. Maria McKee "Late December"
Maria started off in the americana group Lone Justice when she was barely out of her teens. The group was destined for super stardom but never seemed to make it. Since the break up of the band she has recorded several excellent solo albums. One of her early songs ended up on the Dixie Chicks first album, giving her the financial freedom to record how she wants. She is not content to merely stick to one genre. One ablum will be her roots rock, the next could be labeled alternative. This album is almost threatrical, close to opera in some instances. Maria has a voice that can pull just about any style of music off. I enjoyed this album but I have to admit I'm more of a fan of her roots rock style.

4. Susan Cowsill Band "Live at Carrollton Station: Covered In Vinyl Series Vol. 1"
Susan is a favorite of mine. She's been around years, from the family band, The Cowsills, to the New Orlean's based Contintental Drifters, to finally her own solo career. She's still based out of New Orleans and at the local club Carrollton Station she does a monthly show where her band covers an album from someone else. They do the entire album at the show. This is cuts from different shows where she covered Joni Mitchell, Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac and Led Zepplin. Hopefully this is just the first in what will be a series of releases. I'd like to see a release of one entire show, where she redoes the entire album.

5. Amanda Shaw "Pretty Runs Out"
Amanda is another local favorite and this is her big label debut. She's a 17 year old fiddle playing sensation. She's released two previous albums on small local labels until Rounder Records decided to grab her up. This is a good album, but not the Amanda Shaw album I was hoping for. It starts off good, with the title song, as close to theme song for Brittney as could be written. Rounder wisely teamed Amanda up with some veteran local artists in helping her craft some songs, Shannon McNally and Anders Osborne each have a hand in writing some of the material on this album. But they also try to make Amanda into a more contemporary vocalist, singing material written by popsmith Dianne Warren. In concert she does covers by such artists as the Clash and Charlie Daniels, it would have been nice to see that ability to stretch more on this album.
6. Elizabeth Cook "Balls"
The title for this album is short for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman". This is straight ahead old fashioned country music produced by Rodney Crowell.