MARCIA BALL

SHINE ON

2018-04-08

Texan Marcia Ball sings, writes and plays piano with the best of them. This new disc features all three skills in abundance. With 9 original tunes joining three covers, Ball continues the strong legacy of tunes she has crafted over the course of 14 discs. The title track kicks things off with the upbeat homage to heroes of hers including Dr. Martin Luther King and Irma Thomas . While her thoughts turn to love on the "soulful Once In A Lifetime Thing" and the slinky" I Got To Find Somebody" and to the importance of recognizing just how good things were with Detroit Steel on the road and King Floyd in the roadhouse, "They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That" she also takes a salsa inflected trip south of border on "Life Of the Party" with wailing trumpet compliments of Al Gomez and a big back up choir featuring Shelley king, Carolyn Wonderland and Eric Bernhardt. Speaking of King, her "When the Mardi Gras is Over gives Ball the chance to show off her Professor Longhair inspired piano chops on a party ready tune that makes you wish it would never come to an end. "Pots and Pans" leaves the party behind for a powerful call to arms to take to the streets to stand up for what is right. The benefits of throwing caution to the wind get showcased on the upbeat, rocking "I’m Glad I Did What I Did" and she lets loose with high energy boogie on "Too Much For Me". The disc closes with Jesse Winchester’s "Take a Little Louisiana" which gets a zydeco treatment compliments of Roddie Romero on accordion and Yvette Landry on background vocals. With 50 years on the road and in the studio, Ball is a consummate performer and this disc adds another highlight to her legacy.

Smitty

review by Mark

Quick Links:

• Alligator Records