Here is the beginning of Wikipedia’s profile of Marcia Ball:
Marcia Ball (born March 20, 1949, Orange, Texas, United States)[1] is an American blues singer and pianist, born in Orange, Texas but who grew up in Vinton, Louisiana.[1] She was described in USA Today as “a sensation, saucy singer and superb pianist… where Texas stomp-rock and Louisiana blues-swamp meet.”[2] The Boston Globe described her music as “an irresistible celebratory blend of rollicking, two-fisted New Orleans piano, Louisiana swamp-rock and smoldering Texas blues from a contemporary storyteller.”[3] (Continue Reading…)
Alligator Records, Ball’s label, provides more background:
Marcia Ball is a woman with a reputation. The Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist/vocalist/songwriter is famed worldwide for igniting a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she strolls on stage. Ball’s groove-laden New Orleans boogie and rollicking Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music fans all over the world. But she’s also a master at transfixing her audience with an emotionally rich, passionately sung ballad. The Boston Herald says, “Ball plays masterful, red hot tracks from the Texas-Louisiana border. Her voice can break your heart with a ballad or break your back with a rocker.” (Continue Reading…)
The song above, Play With Your Poodle, is as suggestive as the title suggests. The sax player also manages to sample Rhapsody in Blue amidst the semi-lewdness, which is pretty good. It’s a bit before the one minute mark. The notes say that the clip is from the documentary Rocking the Boat: A Musical Conversation & Journey, which stars the great Delbert McClinton. Below is Louella.
The Austin Chronicle ran an affectionate feature about Ball ten years ago, and here is her site.
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