Susan Cowsill & the Mid-City Ministers
Pour House Raleigh NC 2-11-06
Went down to the Pour House Saturday night with no real expectations. I didn’t really know Susan Cowsill. I was completely unfamiliar with Cowsill’s music but oh, what music she and this band make. Oh, I knew the Cowsills. “Indian Lake is a scene you should make with your little one” and of course they scored big with the definitive, or most well known, version of “Hair”.
Now, little Suzie is all grown up, having shaken off her tambourine, except for occasions of reminiscence. After nearly forty years in the business, lending her golden pipes to the backgrounds of everything from Hootie & the Blowfish and the Dwight Twilley Band to Redd Kross and Nanci Griffith, Susan is ready to take her place at center stage.
Susan was also a key member of the critically acclaimed but little heard Continental Drifters, along with Peter Holsapple, Vickie Peterson, Ray Ganucheau and Carlo Nuccio, later Russ Broussard.
The late Continental Drifters drummer, has assembled a cracker-jack band to spice up Cowsill’s country pop gumbo. Chris Knott keeps all the holes filled with his ringing, chiming, tube amp Telecaster stylings, the King of Mardi Gras Rob Savoy thunders in on bass and Broussard handles the beat, complete with chest mounted scratch board to reveal his zyedeco background. These guys are top notch and Susan is the match of all.
Ex-front guy with Cowboy Mouth, and Blues Runners, time proven bassist Rob Savoy and Russ Brossard lay down a bedrock bottom that allows Ploughboy Chris Knotts to dip and soar with his Fender hoodoo. All this and Susan’s golden throat applied to her intimate songs and there is magic in the air.
Susan will tell you that this grouping is a band, in the old school, equal footing for each quadrant, sense. But, guess what, Susan Cowsill is the star here and husband Russ is running the show. Susan held up her end of the rhythmic attack on, I think, a Taylor acoustic and a reissue DanElectro U2.
One memory tickling highlight was her beautiful rendition of Donovan Leitch’s “Catch the Wind”. Susan Cowsill is on the road promoting her debut solo album. Her adopted hometown was laid to waste by the might of Katrina, a storm that claimed the life of her brother, Barry. After weathering all the storms, little Suzie is in the spotlight, where she belongs. She has survived a business that eats people alive, displaying the style, grace and wit of a true professional. She is able to share those experiences and all of life’s twists and turns with us. That is a rare and prized quality.
I walked into the Pour House with no expectations beyond their excellent draught beer selection. What I got was a pleasant surprise, a mature artist at the top of her game. She has something to say and an intimate personal way of sharing those thoughts. I am witnessing the flowering of a new and important artist. Cowsill will, firstly, appeal to the ladies but the lads should not ignore this vital artist.
Just Believe It!
Now, little Suzie is all grown up, having shaken off her tambourine, except for occasions of reminiscence. After nearly forty years in the business, lending her golden pipes to the backgrounds of everything from Hootie & the Blowfish and the Dwight Twilley Band to Redd Kross and Nanci Griffith, Susan is ready to take her place at center stage.
Susan was also a key member of the critically acclaimed but little heard Continental Drifters, along with Peter Holsapple, Vickie Peterson, Ray Ganucheau and Carlo Nuccio, later Russ Broussard.
The late Continental Drifters drummer, has assembled a cracker-jack band to spice up Cowsill’s country pop gumbo. Chris Knott keeps all the holes filled with his ringing, chiming, tube amp Telecaster stylings, the King of Mardi Gras Rob Savoy thunders in on bass and Broussard handles the beat, complete with chest mounted scratch board to reveal his zyedeco background. These guys are top notch and Susan is the match of all.
Ex-front guy with Cowboy Mouth, and Blues Runners, time proven bassist Rob Savoy and Russ Brossard lay down a bedrock bottom that allows Ploughboy Chris Knotts to dip and soar with his Fender hoodoo. All this and Susan’s golden throat applied to her intimate songs and there is magic in the air.
Susan will tell you that this grouping is a band, in the old school, equal footing for each quadrant, sense. But, guess what, Susan Cowsill is the star here and husband Russ is running the show. Susan held up her end of the rhythmic attack on, I think, a Taylor acoustic and a reissue DanElectro U2.
One memory tickling highlight was her beautiful rendition of Donovan Leitch’s “Catch the Wind”. Susan Cowsill is on the road promoting her debut solo album. Her adopted hometown was laid to waste by the might of Katrina, a storm that claimed the life of her brother, Barry. After weathering all the storms, little Suzie is in the spotlight, where she belongs. She has survived a business that eats people alive, displaying the style, grace and wit of a true professional. She is able to share those experiences and all of life’s twists and turns with us. That is a rare and prized quality.
I walked into the Pour House with no expectations beyond their excellent draught beer selection. What I got was a pleasant surprise, a mature artist at the top of her game. She has something to say and an intimate personal way of sharing those thoughts. I am witnessing the flowering of a new and important artist. Cowsill will, firstly, appeal to the ladies but the lads should not ignore this vital artist.
Just Believe It!
posted by le monde moderne at 7:03 PM
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