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Tower Takes Texas By Storm - Presented By Rounder Records - Various
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Louisiana Spice - 25 Years of Louisiana Music on Rounder Records
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Live! Down the Road
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
Marcia Balls Louisana 1927 at 2005-10-10
I was watching OReilly on Fox when they played this for backround music while they showed the death and destruction in NO. The song was good, but what got to me was the fact that a lot of people were talking about the song in the following days. I got the CD, the service was great, the other tracks are overall good, and have bought a few copies for friends. I recommend it.Brian
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Marcia Ball ROCKS!! at 2005-10-17
Marcia Ball is one of those entertainers who falls below the radar until you listen to her sing. We saw her in concert bought this CD and are NOT dissappointed. Her songs bring the spitit of Louisiana to life. Listen to Thats enough of that stuff, Louella and Louisiana 1927 and youll be back for more!!
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Marcia goes live at 2006-03-22
I was hoping this live album would bring out all the energy Marcia brings to live performances and to a great extent it did. I find her studio albums burdened with ballads and just not the same as watching her pound the keyboard and sing. This is a generally consistent album of her best material, except for the puppy dog song but I may be in a small minority on that. GR
Marcia Ball Album Review:
A little piece of home at 2006-02-24
The first time I heard Marcia Ball was in downtown Dallas at the Farmers Market eating breakfast with my husband. A gentleman was playing music for those eating on the outside court. The music was so great that after we finished eating we went up to him to find out who that artist was and needless to say it was Marcia Ball...we enjoyed it them and still enjoy it. I love to listen to it after a hard day at work...it sooths my soul and brings a back a little piece of home life.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
She puts the live in live albums. at 2005-11-01
I hate live albums so why did I buy this one? Partly because Im a huge Marcia Ball fan and partly because I own every other album shes put out. I saw her perform at a small venue in Vancouver this summer. Halfway through the show, a friend nudges me and says I feel guilty for only paying $22 to see this.Ive seen Marcia Ball at Slims in San Francisco and at the New Orleans Jazz festival in 2001. In New Orleans she did a stunning version of Louisiana 1927. She performs it here as well and it rivals Aaron Nevilles version. She has a great voice and the sax solo is tremendous. This track alone would justify the CDs price. If you dont own any of her albums, this would be a good place to start. The sound quality is top-notch and she has a great band backing her up.I feel guilty for only paying $15.00 for this disc.
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So Many Rivers
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
More like it. at 2003-04-23
I was disappointed with Marcias last album, Presumed Innocent, as it had a somewhat antiseptic sound for this most organic of performers. So Many Rivers sounds much more vibrant and closer in feel to her best album: Let Me Play with Your Poodle. Her playing and that of her band is solid and rollicking. The mix between rockers and ballads is perfect. However, to experience Marcia at her best you need to see her in concert. This album should provide some excellent fodder for her current live set. A live album would really do Marcia justice.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
No House of Glass at 2005-03-19
So Many Rivers is a high point for Marcia Ball. An accomplished pianist, she has a crack band to help fill in the gaps. Six of the tracks are originals that she penned. My favorite is Danny Timms Hurricane on China Lake. Although this was copyrighted in 1978, this is the first recording of the tune I can find. Marcias bluesy piano pounds out the melody, Its blowing the walls down; You find your house of glass in pieces on the ground. Donnie Fritts and Gary Nicholson penned the beautiful melody of If Its Really Got to Be This Way, a sad slow breakup lament that Marcias vocals fully embody. On Give Me A Chance, Marcias piano goes gospel with Greg Smiths sax and the Los Angeles Horns giving Marcias powerful vocal a classic soul feel thatd put a smile on Al Greens face. Danny Timms Dance With Me bounces joyfully on the sets feel-good track. The material on this set is consistently good. The performances are first rate and make this a delightful jewel! Enjoy!
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Presumed Innocent
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
5 Stars Aint Enough But It Is All That I Can Do at 2001-12-07
I am a long term Marcia Ball fan. Her music and piano boogie really energizes me. Recently she appeared in concert locally (Norman OK). I took my two daughters who are in their early 20s and who were not familiar with Ms Ball. They were both mesmerized by the talent and the music of this lady. Any of her CDs are a bargain. All of her stuff is fun. All of her music is hot ... hot ... hot!
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Not what I expected, but I like it at 2001-08-09
I was shopping in the Amaxons Alligator web site and I saw Marcia Ball, I bought it on a wim. Not hard blues but good, fun rythm and blues. Great stuff. I dont have any others, but I will. Great Piano by Marcia, and great guitar, especially on Thibodaux, Louisiana, A great rocking tune. Delbert McClinton stops by on Scene of the Crime. If you like old fashioned fun Rythm and Blues this is great stuff...
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Marcia as good as ever at 2004-05-15
Marcia has been influenced by many different styles of music, predominately blues and roots rock but also including R+B, country and jazz - even some Cajun. You can find elements of all these in this album though some are more obvious than others. She has never been a prolific recording artist but her albums are all of the highest quality. This wonderful album, mostly of good-time music, shows Marcia singing as good as ever and backed by plenty of great musicians, although she only occasionally shows her dynamic skills on the piano.The songs are mainly original (often written by Marcia) but also include covers of You make it good (a cover of an Allen Toussaint song featuring Delbert McClinton as duet vocalist), I have the right to know (originally written and recorded by Brenda Burns and also covered by Francine Reed) and Im coming down with the blues (a Don Covay song from 1960).Among the original songs, I particularly like Louella (on which Marcia makes more use of her piano than usual for this album), Thibodaux Louisiana (with a touch of Cajun). Shes so innocent (an outstanding ballad) and You make me happy (a great song to close the album) - but every song here is brilliant.If you like great rock music with a variety of other influences, this is for you.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Strong material, variable production at 2002-05-29
Its refreshing to hear music thats sung and played by a serious musician: Marcia Balls exciting New Orleans-styled piano and her committed vocals are a happy invitation to an uplifting listening experience. This album sounds like it was recorded...in an actual *recording* studio? Yes, the air is a little tight around the mike, but do I hear a real acoustic piano?The highlight of the album is Shes So Innocent, a kind of album sub-title, a mello and sombre ballad beautifully rendered by Marcia. This is the quietest slow number here and the most impressive. I Have The Right To Know is reminiscent of the best of Percy Sledge, with a dash of Domino (as in Fats). Like many of the selections, however, it runs about one minute too long. The Don Covay co-composition Im Coming Down With The Blues is a great addition. Its a lesser-known slow number and its soulful throughout. The best uptempo item is Fly On The Wall, actually a mid-tempo. The arrangement is perfect with backing vocals well mixed. A contender is the Ball composition Louella, somewhat reminiscent of Frankie Fords Roberta [aka Loberta], a fun lyric about some chicks penchant for making private business public. Must make a nice *set* entry.Count The Days has an entertaining hook, but the arrangement is third-rate. With lyrics presumeably derived from the Presley-related Milcow Blues Boogie and a chorus possibly based upon The Beatles All Together Now youd think this track would cook, but the mindless repetition of ...one, two, three... and the length of the tune leaves one perplexed by a poorly integrated novelty effect. Maybe a fun after hours sing-along but not a number to hold the third position on an album by an esteemed artist. The CD closes with Marcias You Make Me So Happy, an engaging track which directs you right back to Track One. Perhaps by leaving off a few numbers and simplifying a few more the album would really cook. Still a notable effort.[Marcia is included on the Island Visual Arts video Let The Good Times Roll - A Film About The Roots Of American Music].
Marcia Ball Album Review:
talent in the purest form...Marcia Ball at 2001-09-08
Think of boogie woogie, zydeco, piano skills unmatched and a great expressive style...the result is Marcia Ball...memories of past releases come to mind ~ Hot Tamale Baby, Gatorhythms, Blue House, Let Me Play With Your Poodle and Sing It, all on the Rounder label, composer of blues with lyrics pouring straight from the heart...Im a big, big fan, and this latest release from Alligator Records ~ Presumed Innocent, spells a winner.From ballads to New Orleans blues, Marcia keeps them coming straight at you, entire CD is a must have...dont pass this one up...Cant say enough, except...we need more of the same...so spin this, sit back and enjoy, cause Marcias so happy when shes with you...youre going to have a ~ BALL!Total Time: 52:53 on 13 Tracks ~ Alligator Records ALCD-4879 ~ (2001)
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Sing It!
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
Souling Along with Southern Divas at 1999-08-08
Its a rare treat to have 3 enormously talented divas somehow combine their original powerful distinctive voices into one song but they managed to do it with gusto and joy. Tracey Nelson steals the show, however, with her solos such as In Tears which dazzle the listener with her dynamic, powerful voice which makes these songs her own. I have seen her in person and I would be afraid to share the stage with her because her vocals would blow me off the stage.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Souling Along with Southern Divas at 1999-08-08
Its a rare treat to have 3 enormously talented divas somehow combine their original powerful distinctive voices into one song but they managed to do it with gusto and joy. Tracey Nelson steals the show, however, with her solos such as In Tears which dazzle the listener with her dynamic, powerful voice which makes these songs her own. I have seen her in person and I would be afraid to share the stage with her because her vocals would blow me off the stage.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
All have done much better work; buy their solo work instead at 2006-03-22
Growing on me as I accept it without the expectations I get from their solo work. Mostly friendly, solid, wholly idiomatic, but unexceptional New Orleans and Memphis R and B. All of them have done much better work, but it is still fun to hear them together. Standouts: Please no more; tr 13-You dont know nothin about love (with Tracys full power) [49:38]
Marcia Ball Album Review:
These gals are the stuff. at 2000-08-26
I actually heard these ladies first on Austin City Limits and decided that I needed the CD. Friends take one listen to this CD and fall in love with it just as I did. They like it so much that I am eager to let them take it home. I have bought FOUR copies and sent TWO as gifts. And I dont even have a copy for my own right now. My female friends have shared with me that this CD is highly suitable for listening while taking a candle-lite bath to soak away those man-trouble blues and also while trying to shake the road-rage syndrome on the ride home from work (of which I agree). BUY IT. And share it with a friend.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Tracy and Irma great combo. at 1999-12-15
This was the first I have ever heard of any of these ladies. Tracy and Irma stand out and You dont know nothinabout love, is the most powerful piece on the cd. Tracy is heard all over this cd with power force and beauty. I enjoy her thoroughly and will look for some of her solo stuff in the future. She crosses between gospel and blues with authority and passion. The highlight of this cd is the last song You dont know nothin about love Great song
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Let Me Play With Your Poodle
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
Has anyone read the title on this page? at 2004-07-19
Just pointing out Amazons mistake...amusing as it may be.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
great album!!! at 2001-06-23
Enough said. Marcia knows her way around the piano. Well-written songs and a tight, supportive band bring out the best of this great musician.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Let me play with your poodle at 2001-02-03
Marcia is a great New Orleans blues singer. She has a wonderful stage presence and should get more national recognition.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
party music from the Bayou at 2000-06-26
Ive been following Marcia off and on for the last 10 years...always thought of her as a fun artist with a nice voice and enough piano to make her credible.Then I heard this album...she cranks out a bunch of blistering pounding piano solos that impressed this old hard heart.Go get this one...by far the best of her albums
Marcia Ball Album Review:
NEAR PERFECT at 2005-04-10
Marcia delivers piano as sizzling uptempo or in yearning ballad forms and comes out sounding fab either way. The title track and Crawfishin are instant classics, and all her slower moments are sweet and tender.Not a duff track in the batch. The song blend of originals and covers is well focused, and lends creedance to the great history of music and life on the Bayou (Delbert McClinton, Randy Newman).Ive listended to a lot of blues influenced ivory ticklers on CD, and Ive seen many a player hit the 88 keys live and in person, but Marcia delivers the right stuff from start to finish. Her voice is warm and welcoming. Session heavyweight Doyle Bramhall (Sr.), joins in to add spice to the party in session.Next time the neighbors are coming over for a BBQ, slip into something comfortable and try on a little Marcia Ball..this Poodle is worth picking up.
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Dreams Come True
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
It IS a dream. at 1998-07-21
Three fantastic performers in combination and solo. A great opportunity to make the musical acqaintance of three very talented individual blues ladies.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Lou Ann and Marcia Rule Austin! at 1999-06-20
This is great music. Lou Ann Barton and Marcia Ball are the pride of Austin, and if you ever get the chance to catch them live, you will have the time of your life. This CD is the next best thing.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Absolutely Five Star! at 2000-02-27
One of the best Blues albums ever
Marcia Ball Album Review:
A classic!!!! at 1999-08-24
Nearly ten years after its release, this remains one of the great modern blues albums. Marcia, Lou Ann and Anglea sing their hearts out on perfectly chosen and arranged songs. And, dont forget the important contributions by Sarah Brown-- shes the fourth great lady on this cd.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Every song on this CD is exceptional!! at 1998-09-23
This is by far my favorite CD. These three compliment each others talents. It is impossible to sit still during A Fool In Love or I Idolize You. Love, Sweet Love should bring tears to anyone who has a heart. There is not a single song on this CD that I would skip over. Every one is great!
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Blue House
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
PS: I HAVE purchased this CD and I love it even more than I at 2000-11-07
thought Id would from hearing her interview and excerpts at the House of Blues. St. Gabriel still sings to me, but there is not one bad track on this CD, and will play them all over and over. Not all CDs past that test. Sometimes Ill buy a CD and only like one or two tracks.Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Awesome Blues: Especially St. Gabriel moves me to my toes.. at 2000-06-17
St. Gabriel should be the poster song for battered wives... and all the other songs are wonderful too. Heard her songs at the House of Blues website ... and craved some more. I shall buy this one here and also Gator too. Recommend her for anyone who loves the Blues!
Marcia Ball Album Review:
More blues and less rock on this one at 2003-02-22
Marcia is a fine singer who writes many of her own songs, though she is never afraid to record covers where they are suitable. Her albums can be almost relentlessly upbeat, as with Hot tamale baby, but this is generally a much sadder album - more like one would expect from a blues singer.Marcia still demonstrates her Jerry Lee-ish piano playing here, on the opening Red beans, the third track Down the road and particularly on her cover of Joe Elys Fingernails, but those are not typical of this particular album.More typical is the title track, in which Marcia painted her house blue after her man left for good, or St Gabriel, about being sent to prison and later being released with nowhere to go.This is a fine album that demonstrates Marcias ability to sing a variety of different types of song.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Marcia Ball is just awesome at 2002-12-06
I found this one by accident, but it turned out to be a great find. I was in a used CD store and picked up a CD by Luther Allison. It had been repackaged and shrink wrapped. When I popped it into the CD player, out came this very vibrant female voice singing a song that I would later find out is called Red Beans. It caught my attention and in what seemed like no time at all, I was through the entire CD. I played it twice more before I finally managed to find out who this was and print out a list of tracks.Every track is great and my favorite of the bunch is Fingernails. Since then, I have gotten more Marcia Ball CDs (on purpose!!) and cant say anything negative about her.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
First experience with Marcia at 1999-02-03
I first heard Marcia Ball wailing out a song on the radio when I was traveling through Glenwood Springs Colorado several years ago. The beat and lyrics of I keep my fingernails long so they click when I play the piano captivated me so much , I rushed to a phone and called the local radio station to find out who the artist was. That day I purchased this album and have been a fan since. Her unique cajun style and excellant intrumental accompaniment will have you tapping your foot to her music. Enjoy!
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Hot Tamale Baby
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
Best Rockin Blues and Dynamite Piano Playin in the World at 1999-01-02
Saw Marcia Ball in New Orleans at the Jazz Fest in 1990 and bought this album on tape cassette at the fest. Played it so much, the tape broke within a month. Hard to say which song is the best, they are all excellent rockin songs. Also,hard to say that this is the best album, Gatorythems and Blue House is also superb. Marcia is just an all around great musician and is the best rockin bules piano playin gal out there. Enjoy the album and work on getting the rest of her collection, I just ordered the last album that I did not have, Dreams Come True. Looking forward to hearing all of it.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Upbeat music to rock those blues away at 2002-11-24
From the opening track, Never like this before (a cover of a sixties soul song), this album rocks. Marcia wrote two of the songs herself (Loves spell and Thats enough of that stuff) and draws on a variety of sources for the other songs, including soul, R+B, blues and zydeco - the latter represented by the title track, originally written by Clifton Chenier.Yet the overall feel of the album is rocknroll update for 1985 (when this album was recorded). Comparisons with Jerry Lee Lewis are understandable - Marcia plays the piano in a similar style to Jerry. Not much tinkling of the ivories here - they take a real pounding on some of the tracks.Although this is a very upbeat album, there are a few slower songs to vary the pace, and Marcia is well capable of singing those as well as the rockers.This is one of Marcias earliest albums, but it still sounds fresh and exciting. Rock your blues away with this or any other album by Marcia, who is brilliant at what she does.
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Soulful Dress
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
The Best Marcia Ive Heard at 2002-04-25
This CD is a very good effort from Marcia. The songs move from mid tempo to slower but all have a very catchy groove. Marcia has an underrated voice and she sings her songs with great emotion. There are many highlights on this CD and songs that stick with me throughout the day after listening to them. They somehow stick themselves in your mind and repeat themselves in your mind over and over. Another must for blues fans, an underrated one that should be added as soon as possible to your collection.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
swing yo leg at 2000-06-21
I first saw Marcia in NOLA at jazz festival,bought soulful dress on cassett and lived a happier life for it.Lively and bright Marcias music always brings a smile to my face and spring to my step.I dare you to have a bad day while listening to Soulful Dress!Made your move too soon and Eugene make me giggle every time I hear them.Got folks over,rev up any gathering with this cd I promise people will dance ,laugh and have a good time to this lighthearted music.
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Gatorhythms
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Marcia Ball Album Review:
energy personified at 1999-09-20
Ive seen her performance live and this CD easily captures all the energy of her live performance. La ti Da is awsome. Probably the most moving (and my #1 fav) cut on the CD is The Power of Love.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
An excellent early album at 2003-03-08
On this set, Marcia demonstrates her skills on a variety of songs, beginning with How to carry on, an up-tempo rocker, which sees her attacking the piano in a manner reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis. Theres nothing else quite like that here, but there is a nice mix of tempos. The mood of the album is generally upbeat.The power of love is her own song - of course, there have been many songs with this title - Ive come across about ten totally different songs. The most famous was the one that was a huge hit all over Europe in the eighties for Jennifer Rush. It was a flop in America, but later became an American hit for Laura Branigan, then in the nineties it became a monster hit for Celine Dion. Marcias song is not as dramatic, but it is still a great song.Mamas cooking explains in song why Marcia manages to avoid getting fat - she could eat plenty, but always burn off the excess by dancing the night away. The cover picture provides the proof.Lee Roy Parnell, who eventually achieved success as a country singer in the nineties, wrote two of the songs but he was unknown at the time this music was recorded. Whats a girl to do and Red hot show that he could write great songs.Marcias music should appeal to anybody who likes rock music with a touch of blues, particularly fans of Bonnie Raitt.
Marcia Ball Album Review:
First rate at 1999-12-27
This is the best of the cds put out by Marcia Ball and I recommend it highly. The performances on other Ball cds is equally good, but the quality of the songwriting on this one sets it apart from the rest. (I realize 4 stars around here amounts to damning with faint praise, but geez, there ought to be some shades of gray between the ridiculous and the sublime).
Marcia Ball Album Review:
Great stuff at 1999-07-02
I first heard this while painting sets (for a play) late at night after a long day. It was so envigorating that we played it several times. Marcia Ball has so much fun with her songs, whether slow ballads or catchy numbers, that its impossible not to tap ones foot along with her. Great stuff!!
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