Denver Gold
What's happenin', y'all?
Got a minute? Take a load off, and set yo'self down...I'll put the coffee on, you can twist one up, if you wanna...
Hoping for some some 'Sunshine On My Shoulders' tomorrow. Why? Because 'I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane' for some 'Rocky Mountain High' - dates in Colorado. ( click on Papa Mali, then calender).
'Thank God I'm A Country Boy'!
...hey, John Denver might not have been the hippest cat on the scene in his day, but check out Toots and the Maytals version of 'Country Roads(Take Me Home)' and tell me you didn't sing along on the chorus - you know you did...I know it, too. Awesome...or as JD would say "FAR OUT!"
And speaking of Toots, there is a killer version of his 'Sailin' On' on the new Derek Trucks Band CD, Songlines, which I strongly suggest you buy (not burn) immediately. Hearing it live is the best, so go see 'em when they come to a venue near you - and pick up Cds, T shirts while you're there! You can tell 'em I sent you...
This week has been relaxing...in the studio working on the newest Ruthie Foster CD, which also features George Sluppick (MOFRO) on drums, Anthony Farrell (Greyhounds) on keys and the amazing Glen Fukunaga on upright and electric bass. Also making a guest appearance on vibes and percussion is the omnipresent and multi-talented Mike Dillon ( Garage A Trois, Les Claypool, Hairy Apes BMX and so many more). Yours truly is producing and playing some guitar, but there is no doubt who is at the center of this group of gifted musicians - thats right, it's (spell it out loud with me):
R--U--T--H--I--E....F--O--S--T--E--R...
Got it?
Good. Now remember the name, because it is one YOU WILL BE HEARING in the not-too-distant future, people. I kid you not. This girl got SOUL! And I'm talkin' the kind of real deal, nitty gritty, southern, gospel influenced, old school soul most people would pimp their mama out to the devil for.
But Ruthie don't play that. Never has, never will. She is a shining example of what is still right in the world and the sound of her voice reminds me of a time when strong, proud black women with one name ruled the airwaves - names like...Aretha, Mavis, Chaka...( if you STILL don't know who, YOU BETTER ASK SOMEBODY - QUICK!). Stay tuned...I am so excited about this one!
I hope all my friends and family in New Orleans are having the time of their lives, because it is CARNIVAL TIME! Wishin' I was there, don't you know it!
But it is an honor and priveledge to be bringin' the Mardi Gras vibe to the good peoples in the Rockies this week...so if you are in Boulder (Friday 2/24 @ Redfish), Denver/Arvada (Saturday 2/25 @ The D-Note), Keystone (Fat Tuesday 2/28 afternoon concert) and/or Vail ( Fat Tuesday 2/28 night show @ 8150)...get ready to party like you are on Frenchman St and the sun is coming up, taking you by surprise, yet again - you rascal, you.
Favorite newly aquired record (vinyl, natch): Cold Shot! by The Johnny Otis Show, featuring Mighty Mouth Evans on vocal and a teenage Shuggie Otis on guitar and bass. I'm guessing by the nehru jacket, floral prints, afros and peace signs they be sportin' on the cover, that this record was released in '68 (on the Kent label). But don't let the groovy threads fool ya'...this is a slice of downhome fonky soul biscuit - with pork chop gravy on the side for dippin'. Hard to find, but worth it! Favorite cuts: "Country Girl", "Signifyin' Monkey" and the title track( not the SRV song of the same name).
And coming soon: Some Tribe 13 dates in March... this is the post-Katrina band that features me and the legendary Cyril Neville of Neville Brothers/Meters fame, now an Austin resident, as well as Courtney Audain ( who plays bass on my Thunder Chicken CD) and Cyril's nephews, Ricky and Norman - better known as The Ceasar Brothers.
'Til next time...don't let your love grow cold...spread it around, and watch the fire glow.
Big and large...
Papa
