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Post by infused on Dec 21, 2007 22:40:20 GMT 10
Guy's latest album is "The Memphis Album". Recorded In Memphis with members of the MG's (Blues Brothers Band) Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell It's absolutely brilliant, Guy was born to sing soul Track Listing 1. Soul Man 2. Hold On I'm Coming 3. In The Midnight Hour 4. I Can't Stand The Rain 5. Take Me To The River 6. Knock On Wood 7. Respect Yourself 8. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay 9. Hard To Handle 10. Let’s Stay Together 11. I've Been Loving You Too Long 12. Hallelujah I Love Her So 13. I'd Like To Get To Know You 14. Under The Boardwalk
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Post by prinia on Dec 26, 2007 16:23:19 GMT 10
Just in case you don't want to read the small print - here's one, in normal print. and they're all pretty much the same. Source:The Weekend Australian The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian 4 stars out of 5 "IT would be easy to dismiss the Memphis Album as Guy Sebastian's answer to the big-selling Motown collections by Human Nature. After all, it'll be Christmas in a minute. I felt this right until I put the cans on. Now, Australian Idol winners are not generally known for their commitment to the authencity of musical styles. But some kind of alchemy has happened here. Not only has Sebastian recorded in the city of the title,enlisting the aid of renowned rhythm-and-blues specialists Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts, he has lifted his bar to match the talent around him, pulling astonishing, authentic soul performances out of the depths. While his vocal performances are technically amazing, more impressively he has absolutely nailed the rhythm and spirit of the material, sounding for all the world like he means every lusty word. Songs as distinctive as Hold On, I'm Coming, In the Midnight Hour, and Let's Stay Together are steep targets. But Sebastian manages to add and not detract. Listen once and you'll play it again." By Ian Cuthbertson ---------------- Might add --------------- 1. Guy Sebastian - The Memphis Album Local boy triumphs with a band of soul greats. 2. Simone Dinneerstein - Bach Goldberg Variations. Blazing interpretation of a classical masterpiece. 3. Joni Mitchell - Sine The '60s poet returns to bludgeon the corporte world. 4. Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set - The Moon Looked On Clever left of field local pop with a swaggger. 5. Alicia Keys - As I Am Edgier fare from a compelling songstress. 6. New York Voices - A Day Like This Two boys and two girls make soulful whitebread music. 7. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full Not his best, but still has some fine moments. 8. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black Dazzling work from the rasping problem child. 9. silverchair - Young Modern Happy evolution of one of Australia's greatest bands. 10. Omara Portuondo - Duets Sumptuous samba from Cuba's grand old lady of song. ----------------------- If I remember rightly, he also had similar thoughts re Beautiful LIfe - or was it Closer to the Sun. I KNOW CLOSER TO THE SUN WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST UNDER-RATED ALBUMS OF LAST YEAR
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Post by prinia on May 11, 2008 20:42:45 GMT 10
Source:The Weekend Australian The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian 4 stars out of 5
"IT would be easy to dismiss the Memphis Album as Guy Sebastian's answer to the big-selling Motown collections by Human Nature. After all, it'll be Christmas in a minute. I felt this right until I put the cans on. Now, Australian Idol winners are not generally known for their commitment to the authencity of musical styles. But some kind of alchemy has happened here. Not only has Sebastian recorded in the city of the title,enlisting the aid of renowned rhythm-and-blues specialists Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts, he has lifted his bar to match the talent around him, pulling astonishing, authentic soul performances out of the depths. While his vocal performances are technically amazing, more impressively he has absolutely nailed the rhythm and spirit of the material, sounding for all the world like he means every lusty word. Songs as distinctive as Hold On, I'm Coming, In the Midnight Hour, and Let's Stay Together are steep targets. But Sebastian manages to add and not detract. Listen once and you'll play it again."
By Ian Cuthbertson
Source: Sunday Herald Sun The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian (Sony/BMG) **** In short: A ripper of an album with Stax of appeal.
WHO would have thought a more than credible album of soul classics could be produced by a Malaysian-born crooner who won Australian Idol a few years back? Even the true Memphis buffs are crowing about Guy Sebastian's excellent work on such songs as Soul Man, Hold On, I'm Comin', In the Midnight Hour and (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, accompanied by many of the revered musicians who played on the originals. Sebastian travelled to Memphis, the home of famous Stax Records, to record. Hence the rather unimaginative album title. The studio band included guitarist -- and album producer -- Steve Cropper and bassist Donald ``Duck'' Dunn. Sebastian nails the tunes. He's respectful yet unafraid to inject them with a joyous individuality. Best is Al Green's Take Me to the River, a track that chugs away, then cuts down to guitar and bass, and then starts up all over again.
Source: Sanity Ultimate Magazine The Memphis Album Guy sebastian
"With this well-crafted new album Guy Sebastian gives a major nod to R&B's soul roots. Locked away in the studio with original Stax musicians Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith, Sebastian did not simply re-record classics but has also given them his trademark makeover."
Source: The Memphis Flyer Website Guy Sebastian's "Memphis" Album Is Actually Good
Fans of this website know that on weekends and holidays, we tend to get, um, less "news" directed.
A few weeks ago, we became enamored with a story about Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian's sojourn here to record an album with some legendary Memphis musicians.
Well, the album is out now and we decided to see what it sounded like, so off we went to Guy's website. There's a nice montage of videoclips of the Bluff City and samples from the songs. We were somewhat surprised (being cynical Memphians) to discover that the little sonofagun can really sing. He nails these tunes.
Sebastian is currently touring Australia with Memphis legends Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts.
Check it out. (And yes, we know we'll get a zillion website hits from Australia. Hey, it's Thanksgiving. Traffic is traffic, you turkeys.)
Source: Melbourne Bay Side Weekly The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian
Trendy inner city types may scoff at Australian Idol, but not even the most ardent local rock pig could deny the talent of the show's inagural winner Guy Sebastian.
The formerly afro-haired musician returns just in time for Christmas with this set of original Memphis hits he recorder earlier this year with a handful of renowned Stax musicians including Steve Cropper and Donald Duck Dunn. Most of the album has a running happy party vibe making it more than a mere coincidence that hte release date is so close to the onset of summer.
Sebastian's vocal chops fit the genre to a T, and the song selection including Hold On I'm Coming and the brass laden Take Me To The River will appease those with even a passing interest in Memphis music.
Guy Sebastian will play the Palais Theatre on March 1.
- Kathryn Kernohan
Source: News.com.au Entertainment ] Guy Sebastian goes back to music's Memphis roots (By Jolleh Abshar)
THE Memphis album is Guy Sebastian's best album to date.
The style suits not only his voice, but also his persona.
The tracks are joyful, funky and of course, soulful.
He's covered Hold on I'm coming, In the midnight hour, and (Sittin' on) The dock of the bay.
To record an album packed with such well-known classics can be a risky business, especially with all the self-proclaimed soul experts lurking on every corner.
But luckily for Guy Sebastian he’s supremely talented and revived the tunes for another modern audience to enjoy for a while.
Source: Woman's Day Magazine The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian
If anyone needs proof Guy Sebastian is a vocal superstar, listen to this album. Highly ambitious Guy covers some of the greatest soul hits - from Take Me To The River to Hold On I'm Coming - accompanied by mebers of the MGs and Blues Brothers Band.
And boy does he live up to the challenge and impress.
Source: The Surf Coast Echo CD Reviews with Aleks Devic Guy Sebastian The Memphis Album
At risk of mutilating some of the greatest songs ever, Guy Sebastian has paid the ultimate homage to his favourite soul tunes. He has recrafted tracks such as Soul Man, Under The Boardwalk, Knock On Wood, Hold On I'm Coming, after a trip to Memphis where he teamed up with original Stax musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Steve potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith to record the classics. Unlike other cover albums Sebastian has respected the original composition but still managed to add his own flair to it with the final result satisfying fans of the original tunes and opening a new audience to the soul sound. The most decent cover album to come out in a long while.
Source: Brisbane Courier Mail M&M Liftout Guy Sebastian The Memphis Album ( Sony/BMG ) 3 ***
This album shows where his musical heart lies. No expense is spared, recording in Memphis with Stax label legend Steve Cropper ( co-author of Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay ), included here). The album is at it's best on the songs that haven't been played into the ground, in particular the relaxed groove of Al Green material ( Let's Stay Together, Take Me To the River). I've Been Loving You Too Long shows how assured he is when connected with the right songs. One of the best tracks, the confident R&B of I'd Like to Get to Know You, is a Sebastian co-write. He should demand the chance to explore that path next time.
Reviewer. Noel Mengel
Source: Daily Telegraph Music Section HEAR IT Guy Sebastian The Memphis Album (4 out of 5 stars) (Previews with Kathy McCabe)
Oh yes, Mr. Sebastian, you are a soul man. While the whole covers concept usually reeks of desperation to kick-start a stalled career, this is one exception. The fact that the MGs, led by Steve Cropper, agreed to work with him in Memphis should silence the doubters as these are men who wrote and played the original soul classics recorded by everyone from Elvis, Al Green, Otis Reading and the other legends of the time. Sebastian covers all bases of this halycon material era with a clever choice of repertoire that will resonate with a wide audience. The restrained flow of his take on the much butchered I Can't Stand the Rain is commendable, while the joyous In the Midnight Hour is sonic bliss. (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay is possibly his bravest hit-out but he does Otis proud with his finest vocal performance of the album.
Source: The West Australian The Memphis Album Song BMG Review Terry Reilly **** 4 STARS
In Memphis to revitalise 14 R&B chesnuts from the greatest era in soul music, Guy Sebastian's pilgrimage took him to the state-of-the-art Ardent Studios.
The band, mostly from the Stax Records rhythm section who played on Soul Man, Hold on Im coming, Midnight Hour, and the Dock of the Bay do the honours on these and other Memphis classics such as Al Green's Take me to the river.
To Memphis buffs these songs are the Holy Grail and outsiders such as the Malaysian-born Sebastian are not welcome. BUT even the hardest followers of songs caked in Memphis mud should bow generously to the subtleties in band performance and the singer's deft use of falsetto and depth of feeling.
In fact, the latter two are highlights, notably throughout Greens' Lets stay together. Arrangements haven't changed much since Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett's hey day, but the overall results ooze freshness and excitement.
Source: Kid Zone The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian
Hey dudes and dudettes, He's the original and in my eyes, the best Australian idol. Guy Sebastian not only shows how smooth he is behind the mic, but his humble and genuine nice guy attitude really completes this artist. It doesnt seem to be about chart success for Guy. His fourth album, The Memphis album, takes a step back in time and sounds like one awesome jam session with extremely talented musos from America. It's all about the soul with many hits that your mum and dad would be familiar with. It's not just in his music that Guy shows a lot of soul. During his recent tour, Guy's support acts included his younger brother Chris, who sounded so similar to the established artist. Chris performed a great set, bit when the spotlight turned to Guy the show stepped up a notch. Performing only a handful of his hits, Guy relaxed back and jammed through many well known songs from his soul album and a few unexpected tracks in Rhianna's Umbrella and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. The highlight of the show was when the empty chair next to Guy was filled by Chris for a duet of "home" by Brian McKnight. It would have been easy for Guy to sing the lead and show off, but instead he handed it over to Chris, with Guy singing some gorgeous harmonies. For Guy, it's not about the spotlight shining on him. It is about performing the music he loves with the people he loves. That's why he is still the best in my eyes!!
Source: Gulfnews.com SOUL SURVIVOR Soul covers For his latest record, Guy has put down his song-writing pen and instead turned to the great songs of the past from his favourite musical genre — soul.
He has recorded excellent versions of some of the classics of soul music, including Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Let's Stay Together and Knock On Wood.
Other highlights include Under the Boardwalk and Soul Man. However, perhaps the best track on the album is Guy's version of In the Midnight Hour. It is electrifying.
To give the album added authenticity, Guy recorded it in Memphis with many musicians from the city's legendary Stax record label, which can trace its origins back 50 years.
By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter
Source: Ninemsn Entertainment Hot Clip: Guy Sebastian, "In the Midnight Hour" Music Videos (What's Hot) 01 "In The Midnight Hour" Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian spent some time in Memphis, Tennessee to record a tribute to the sounds coming out of that city in the sixties. You'll love his swinging, soulful rendition of "In The Midnight Hour".
Source: TV Week Magazine Music Reviews The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian 4 STARS
Hot Diggity Dog, how good does Guy sound singing soul classics? The Fro-ster's gravelly soul voice comes of age on this album and is the perfect fit for these fab classics. We challenge you to listen to this album and not want to sing along from the first track to the last.
Source: Brisbane Sunday Mail CD Reviews with Jonathon Moran. The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian ( Sony/BMG ) ****
A more than credible album of soul classics by the Malaysian born crooner and former winner of Australian Idol. Even true Memphis buffs are crowing about Sebastian's excellent work on songs such as Soul Man, Hold On and In the Midnight Hour.
SOURCE: Townsville Bulletin >> review by Clayton Smales Artist: Guy Sebastian Label: Sony BMG
MAINTAINING his prodigious output since being crowned winner of the inaugural Australian Idol back in 2003, angelic-voiced crooner Guy Sebastian has released his fourth studio album, a tribute to the gospel, soul and R&B sounds coming out of America's deep south in the 1950s and '60s.
Fans of this music _ or anyone who has ever owned a Commitments soundtrack _ will instantly recognise most, if not all, of the 14 tracks on The Memphis Album, from the smooth Isaac Hayes-penned opener Soul Man, to Take Me to the River and the oft-covered Otis Redding classic (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay.
But despite the familiarity of the material, Sebastian's trademark vocals unleash something new and pleasing on most of the tracks, his languid take of I Can't Stand the Rain, the upbeat I'd Like To Get To Know You and a raucous version of Wilson Pickett's In The Midnight Hour the standouts.
SOURCE: Sunday Mail The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian (Sony BMG) 3 and a half stars In Short: Sebastian's best by a country soul mile.
ONE-TIME Idol winner Sebastian has come back from the wilderness with a rich and remarkable collection of classic soul covers backed by soul veterans who've stood alongside everyone from Otis Redding to the Blues Brothers. He tackles Al Green, Sam & Dave, Wilson Picket and many more with expertise that, frankly is astonishing. Importantly, the experience has trimmed the puppy fat from Sebastian's singing, and he's dug deep to pull off the goods. Of course, the danger with a whole album of covers, especially in light of Human Nature's recent triple play exploration into the music of Motown, is that it can come over as glorified karaoke. Sebastian tackles this by ensuring he offers at least one new element in each reading, as well as adhering predominantly to the deeper soul of the Stax material.
By Paul Nassari
Source: Mainstream Isn't So Bad Blogspot The soul of Guy Sebastian
There are some things you just don't mess with. Memphis soul music from the 60's and 70's is one of them. There was a certain set of conditions, personalities, and influences that came together to make something perfect that can never be replicated. Sure, you can try to cover a classic song from the period and pay homage to artists who shaped the development of music in the United States. But to put together a complete album? You better have eaten all of your Wheaties.
A young Australian singer, Guy Sebastian, has taken on that Herculean task with his fourth album, The Memphis Album. I know what you're thinking: A whole album of covers? Can't he write some material of his own? How can you improve upon or even equal music of such historic weight? Well, to start, to help him with the task are several men who were instrumental in originating the sound when it first got cut on vinyl, including Donald "Duck" Dunn and Steve Cropper (who I recently mentioned here), two original members of Booker T. and the MG's (and of the Blues Brothers' band). Steve was not only a member of the monumentally important house band of Stax Records, but was also clutch in producing much of the music that other groups put out under the Stax name. Consequently, he also was responsible for producing Guy's album. That says a lot about Guy's artistic prowess when the original musicians come along for the ride.
All of the songs on the album are ones that you're familiar with if you've listened to any soul music from the period. They've got the signature Stax organ sound behind them, the tight horn section making themselves heard, with a new voice in front, one that's noticeably different from the originals. Although his vocals are of a different tone, it's clear that Guy has taken much of his style from the period's artists, and he does a very fine job of filling some very large shoes. I'm not going to lie to you, there are a couple of interpretations that don't quite stack up to their predecessors, but as a whole, the album really is a wonderful tribute to some classic music.
Source: Lojiks.com Dance Reviews Guy Sebastian The Memphis Album
Despite ‘The Memphis Album’ being a collection of covers, this is no Young-Divas-style cash cow. In fact, the ease and comfort Guy Sebastian displays crooning his way through 14 soul classics, would be better described as the ex-Australian Idol finding his true voice. Hearing Guy’s amazing voice interpret timeless songs such as Soul Man, In The Midnight Hour, Hard To Handle and my personal favourite, Otis Reading’s I’ve Been Loving You (A Little Too Long) is nothing short of breathtaking. We always knew Guy had one of the best voices in the country, and it was almost depressing to see such a talent belting out soppy ballads and cheesy pop at the bequest of record label execs. On ‘The Memphis Album’ you can hear in Guy’s voice he is finally where he wants to be. Like Human Nature and their Motown offerings, Guy has found his niche and should stick to it. A must for every Christmas stocking. (Sony BMG) Boltz Sez: This Guy's got soul! 4 Stars
SPECIAL MENTION: Concert Review Our greatest soul singer, or idol claim? Guy Sebastian gets 'stronger and better' Governor Hindmarsh, Hindmarsh The Dwarf.com.au
OK, Dwarfers, work with me on this one.
Guy Sebastian.
First try to get over the Christian thing. Good. Now forget about the virginity bit. Great. Now, set aside the ‘Australian Idol’ stuff. Fantastic. Now we are ready to acknowledge that Guy Sebastian is one of the finest exponents of soul and R&B in the country, and he is only going to get better.
At The Gov on Tuesday night, a relaxed Guy Sebastian showed why he is such a class act. Having risen to fame in what many see as a ‘singing competition’ it’s just too glib to write him off as a transient pretty boy who’ll be here today and gone tomorrow, and too easy to overlook what a complete musician, songwriter, singer and performer he is. He is absolutely comfortable across the whole soul and R&B range and he can either caress or belt out a lyric with equal aplomb. His band of acoustic guitar, bass and violin suited him perfectly and allowed that voice, kissed by angels, to do what it does best.
He hasn’t produced the ‘killer album’ yet that he is capable of but watch this space. If his recent sojourn to Memphis pans out, this next album may be it. You certainly don’t get Booker T & the MGs to be your backing band and Steve Cropper to produce you if all you have is a pretty face.
At the moment, Guy Sebastian is ‘only’ great. In the future he could be our Sam Cooke or Aaron Neville. Get out and see him before you need a mortgage for a ticket.
Source: Doubleday Music Club Artist: Guy Sebastian
Guy puts those stunning vocals to brilliant use on The Memphis Album, a selection of classic songs set to appeal to fans of every generation. Guy recorded the album in Memphis, the colourful city on the Mississippi River that gave birth to a unique brand of gospel, rhythm and blues. Here, he lived out a musical dream, working with a band of legendary Stax Records musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Steve Potts and Lester Snell. The result is a modern take on some of the most evocative soul classics of the '50s and '60s, a passionate reinterpretation of timeless tunes, and a thrilling showcase for Guy's extraordinary talents.
Source: Evil Wombats Lair Guy Sebastian ‘The Memphis Album’ - Album Review March 19, 2008 Posted by Tim Sweeney in Albums, Music, Reviews.
Talk about a tonne of pressure heading into a review! As a somewhat clueless metal-head, I was dragged along to a concert last week which I had little interest in; Guy Sebastian and the MGs (also known as the Blues Brothers Band or the Stax band) performing the hits from Sebastian’s ‘The Memphis Album’ in Newcastle. One long drive back and a bit of time on the lappy later, and I had written about what was, in my opinion, the single best concert experience I had ever been to.
What resulted from my 10/10 score for this concert was a tonne of hits on this very site, and my discovery of a rather large group of rabid Guy Sebastian aficionados congratulating me on both my review and my discovery that this man is much more than just the first Australian Idol winner; he is, in fact, a brilliant artist and performer. Despite the fact Memphis-style music is not exactly my chosen genre, I was still looking forward to receiving my copy of ‘The Memphis Album’ for review with an eagerness usually reserved for a nice display of head-banging.
The first glance at the tracklist immediately dragged me back to memories of my childhood; I grew up in a household where the Blues Brothers was played on tape at least every other week, and all the old classics still have a place in my heart (if not my iPod). From the opener ‘Soul Man’ to the final track ‘Under the Boardwalk’, it becomes immediately obvious that Sebastian has managed to not only successfully rerecord these classic tracks, but also bring a unique reinterpretation of each hit using his own vocal style.
This really is quite an amazing feat; there are many artists with decades more experience than Sebastian who are absolutely terrified to even attempt to bring their own spin to a classic song; Guy accomplishes this effortlessly. The one new track appearing on the album (‘I’d Like To Get To Know You’) does not feel remotely out of place, and is a very catchy, well written piece of music; like every song on the CD, this one will have you bopping away in your seat, if not just dancing outright.
If there is one criticism that I can make of the combined musical might that is Guy Sebastian and the MGs on ‘The Memphis Album’, it is that the recording sounds just a little too…perfect. It may be an odd complaint to make, but after experiencing the raw power and passion of the live performance, the recorded version seems to (ironically) lack just a little soul. That’s not to say that the album is not extremely technically proficient; it absolutely is, and it is an incredible musical work which will not look out of place on your shelf.
It’s just that it occasionally feels like ‘The Memphis Album’ was slightly overproduced for what it was meant to be; Guy Sebastian going back to his Soul music roots by going back to the roots of Soul music (I’m proud of that sentence). While this goal was largely accomplished, I can’t help but feel that they may have been better served by trying to keep it just a little more raw.
Don’t let that little bit of criticism throw you off though; it says a great deal about the level that Guy Sebastian has reached when the worst that can be thrown at him is that he sounds too perfect. As it is, ‘The Memphis Album’ is still easily the best album I’ve heard in quite a long while; in fact, I’m retroactively making it my album of 2007.
If anyone reads this that actually doesn’t own the album…well what are you waiting for? Guy Sebastian has well and truly come of age as a singer, songwriter, performer, and pretty much anything else he wants to be. Forget what you think you know about the man; I know I have. Instead, just go and pick this album up, give it a listen, and enjoy a musical experience which harkens back to the heyday of Soul music while still managing to have its own modern vibe.
‘The Memphis Album’: 9/10 - Tim Sweeney
Source: All Memphis Music- Memphis Radio Station The Memphis Album- Guy Sebastian
All Memphis Music first heard about Guy Sebastian from our good friend Steve Cropper back in October 2007. Steve's excitement was so obviously genuine and heartfelt. Also our friends at Ardent recording Studio kept mentioning this guy, named Guy from Australia, who had recorded this fantastic album. Cropper sent us a promo copy early in December, and from the first listen we were blown away by how good these recordings were, and how much they moved us. 11 great Memphis soul classics, a Ray Charles song and a Drifter's song, both R&B classics, and an original composition by Guy himself. Guy took these songs, already etched forever in our minds and made them his own. The true mark of a great vocalist. And what a great band he lined up to play on this record with him. Steve Cropper on guitar, who also co-produced the record. Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass, Steve Potts on drums, Lester Snell on piano and keys, Dave Smith on bass on a few songs on the record, Jim Spakes on the tenor saxophone, Kirk Smothers on barotone sax, Scott Thompson on trumpet, Howard Lamb on trombone, and beautiful background vocals by Susan Marshall and Jackie Johnson. This band plays music as funky as two week old train smoke and as soulful as a sardine syrup sandwich.
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