Blues Music Magazine July 2020 GGG article

POELARKIN

Sibling Revelry

Celebrating Six Years In Print!

♫ COCO MONTOYAPlaying For People

♫ TEENY TUCKER

♫ KID ANDERSEN

Daughter to the Blues

Wizard Of Greaseland

♫ MARCUS KING

♫ GUMBO GRITS & GRAVY

SUMMER 2020ISSUE 26 - USA - $7.99

F E AT U R E S 8 L A R K I N P O E S i b l i n g R e v e l r y b y D o n W i l c o c k 1 2 C O C O M O N TO YA P l a y i n g F o r P e o p l e H a s B e e n M y R e w a r d b y D a n S t e v e n s

1 4 T E E N Y T U C K E R D a u g h t e r To T h e B l u e s b y S t a c y J e f f r e s s 1 8 K I D A N D E R S E NW i z a r d O f G r e a s e l a n d b y A r t T i p a l d i 2 4 G U M B O , G R I T S , A N D G R AV YS e r v i n g U p A m e r i c a n a C o m f o r t S o u l F o o d b y M a r k T h o m p s o n

2 8 M A R C U S K I N GS u r v i n g B e t w e e n B l u e s , S o u l , C o u n t r y, A n d R o c k ' n ' R o l lB y V i n c e n t A b b a t e

6 FROM THE PUBLISHER by Jack Su l l i van

31 BLUES MUSIC STORE S ix t y New ly Re leased CDs Ava i l ab le

38 DOWN IN THE DELTALong L i ve The B lues by Roger S to l l e

40 AROUND THE WORLD A New Blues Worldby Bob Margo l i n 42 REVIEW SECTIONVar ious Rev iews By Var ious Wr i te rs

66 DOUBLE CD SAMPLER CLUB 14 Songs To Down load

D E PA R T M E N T S

B L U E S M U S I C M A G A Z I N E S u m m e r E d i t i o n - J u l y 2 0 2 0 - I s s u e # 2 6

PHOTOGRAPHY © MARILYN STRINGERCOVER PHOTOGRAPHY © BREE MARIE FISH

GUMBO,GRITS & GRAVY

S e r v i n g U p Am e r i c a n a C o m f o r t S o u l F o o d

The name instantly creates more than a few images in the mind’s eye. But those musings will never quite prepare you for a live Gumbo, Grits, and Gravy show.

On either side of the stage are two bundles of kinetic energy in human form, Anne Harris and Marcella Simien, anchored in the middle by the sage that is Guy Davis. The music they conjure up blends elements from a wide variety of American roots music with bits of cultural heritage unique to each member. The band name originated from a tour Davis did more than 20 years ago with Laurie Lewis and Christina Balfa. That version didn’t take off, but Thom Wolfe, manager for Davis, kept the name. When he brought up the idea forming a new version of the group, featuring Anne Harris, Davis was all in. “Having seen Anne over the years, I knew she was a phenomenon. After thinking about who else we might get, Thom was the one who suggested Marcella. I knew her parents, but I hadn’t thought of her. I’m old, so my brain doesn’t think as far and as fast as it needs to. But when I first saw her, I thought holy cucamonga! Where did this woman come from? I got to open up for Etta James, so I heard Etta sing her material. When you hear Marcella sing 'I’d Rather Go Blind,' she has made it her own. She owns her music.” Davis is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician with a deep connection to the blues that was fostered by his family, including his celebrated parents Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. He has continued their legacy, with acting roles on film, television, and stage, highlighted by a one-man production he wrote entitled In Bed With The Blues: The Adventures Of Fishy Waters that showcased his talents to the delight of audiences and critics. His discography lists 17 albums over a four decade span, many on the Red House Records label. Fans of Otis Taylor will certainly be familiar with Harris, who spent almost a decade injecting jolts of energy into Taylor’s trance blues excursions. She creates magic with her violin, all the while her body in motion, expressing the wellspring of emotions that she calls forth on her instrument. In constant demand to work with a wide range of artists

including Jefferson Starship, she also has six self-released albums under her own name, with Roots being her latest exploration of American musical genres. Raised up in a musical family, Simien’s father, Terrance, is a star in the world of Zydeco music that permeates the musical culture in her home state of Louisiana. Later, she went to college in Memphis, falling under the spell of that city’s soulful sounds. Her richly textured vocals combined with her skills on the squeezebox and rub board are featured in her group, Marcella & Her Lovers. Whether it is a moving

ballad or a hearty dose of New Orleans funk, Simien’s powerful vocals never fail to grab your attention. Seeing the group live reminds you of the old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Their shows are events that tap into the unique creative aspects that each of them has to offer. The lead role is passed around as they work through an ever-changing setlist that can range from James to Bob Dylan to Harris singing the traditional tune, “Another Man Done Gone.” Davis is excited by the freedom that the group provides for his artistry. “I get to exercise myself as a songwriter, arranger, and a song deconstructor. I have the nerve to do stuff I wouldn’t do by myself because they have my back. It challenges me to be creative while addressing my greatest need, to not be afraid to be in the moment. Let’s get past the fear of failing to do this

thing. And we don’t want to limit ourselves. I think what we are doing world music.” For Simien, it is all about family. She views their performances like a big dinner with loved ones, where everyone gathers round to break bread, tell stories, laugh, and enjoy the moment. “We offer a different perspective generationally, given our age differences. We each bring something really unique and special to the mix, yet there are parallels and similarities to our experiences despite our different backgrounds. It is really a beautiful union.” When it comes to influences, Harris reflects on the memories of two violinists, Papa John Creach and Don “Sugarcane” Harris. Their virtuosity has provided the inspiration for musical exploration. “They both easily flowed

by Mark Thompson

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from classical to jazz and beyond. Their ranges were huge, but every move was seamless.” When asked about the process of selecting songs to perform, Davis has a quick response. “Anne gives us calls in the middle of the night to brainwash us! Actually, we do tunes together to see how they feel to us on the spot. What songs we play at a given show depends on the energy we are getting from the audience and the amount of time we have to perform. It is a democratic process, but I am way inclined to defer to these two women, who are beautiful from the inside out, because they have good sense! I just try to do the best I can to fit in musically. “I know we set up with me in the middle. I think it would be good if we experiment in

the future, so that whoever is singing the lead vocal will step up to the center microphone while I step back. That is, if the spirit moves them. I’d like people to see that cross-pollination taking place rather than each of us keeping to our own spot. When we perform, that is what we are looking for in the audience, to create flow. We don’t want to be too regimented. It does what it does each and every night. We are looking forward to seeing how this whole thing is going to fit.” The ensemble has a five song EP available on their website that

includes a Davis composition entitled “Gumbo, Grits, And Gravy.” The trio has been working on writing new material, and, as Davis put it, “stealing old material,” in preparation for recording a full-length album when the time is right. Also available on their website, gumbogritsandgravy.com, are three downloadable old family recipes that foster the family vibe. Simien contributed the details for making Poulet et Saucisse gumbo (Chicken & Sausage), while Harris adds a recipe for Creamy Grits, and Davis reveals the secret to making his grandfather’s Hacksaw Gravy. For Harris, Davis is a national treasure in music and the arts. Simien lauds his illustrious career, adding “Anne and I feel really honored to work along side him. It has created a platform to lift us up as two female voices and artists. I pinch myself every day that I get to work with these two incredible artists.” The family theme pops up again as Davis recalls growing up with two sisters who taught him how to braid hair using a mop. He adds, “I have to thank my manager, Thom, for opening up the possibilities. I suck at planning and figuring stuff out. That’s

why I’m always performing alone, like my one-man play. Nobody else gets to talk but me! Now, in this ensemble, we all get to talk – and they crave a little time for me.” There can be no doubt that the shared communal values of love and family are real. All three artists have set aside their established careers to focus on this creative path that promises nourishment for their musical spirits. Once again, Davis provides an apt summation. “When I teach, Lesson #1 in playing together is listening. I now have the opportunity to be born again each time I get on stage with my sisters. It is a very comfortable feeling, and we don’t have to talk about it. They have my back.” - BMM

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