PONCHARTRAIN SHAKERS-LOVE,PEACE AND CHICKEN GREASE
Pontchartrain Shakers - "LOVE,PEACE and CHICKEN GREASE"
Recorded at Rabadash Studios, Mandeville, Louisiana.
Produced by Jojjo Wight
Home - Frank Roszak Promotions
Pontchartrain Shakers - Philanthropy - Many thanks and thunderous applause to The Porchartrain Shakers whose dedication to community service is certainly commendable and greatly appreciated!!
Southland Records - www.jazzology.com - check out all 10 labels
https://youtu.be/iQZY2V0MIPA?si=TCyL2hSjkX0JwR46
".......we just take everyday emotions like love,loss,triumphs,overcoming tribulations,enjoyment,wants and desires,and let it fly in the air..." - Amedee Frederick
The early morning drive to work brings the sunshine, energizing and warmly inviting, capturing the excitement of the day ahead. The cheerful and uplifting vibe inside of my car transforms into an even more enjoyable experience with good company. The Pontchartrain Shakers are here with me, transforming an otherwise mundane morning drive into something altogether different. Cascading out of my car stereo is the bright melody and cheerful groove of the first track, "Sunshine," from "Love, Peace and Chicken Grease," the latest release from this extraordinary group of seasoned musicians. "Sunshine" is a song that perfectly frames the freshness and excitement of the morning calm around me.
I had a tough time writing this review since I had trouble getting through the entire CD at one time. The first four songs were so clever, irresistible, and inescapable that I found myself playing them over and over and over again -
"Sunshine" - "Don't Ask Me How I'm Doing" (a heart-rending track where Amedee Frederick's emotive vocals are joined by Jojjo Wrights parents Jamie and Heidi Wight on cornet and trombone , alongside Jojjo's longtime friend and mentor Mike Loupe on alto sax) - St. James Infirmary(a bluesy, blistering instrumental that is seismically quaking) - and certainly one of my favorites, a track I have found myself playing over and over again: "Lucy Mae" (Amedee "The Creole Blues Man" Frederick IV is featured on vocals, this is a beautifully performed bit of acoustic blues, lounging-on-the-front-porch music that comes across as a conversation, a slice of life, timeless blues that really shakes your soul -
Amedee "A5" Frederick, father and son together, perform some truly fantastic front porch blues!)
Finally. Struggling, I found myself working on the rest of this amazing album, once again playing tracks over and over again.
* The wonderful rhythm and blues of the marriage proposal, "You Amaze Me," brings to mind Ray Charles and some of his most soulfully aching Atlantic sides, a track deeply mired in soulful richness.
* "Going to Kentucky" another interesting track filled with creative storytelling. A Louisiana family takes a trip to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky with some unexpected results: "Well, it's sure different from Louisiana and it's time to go home."
* "Christmas in New Orleans," William Bell's ballad "You Don't Miss Your Water," and R. L. Burnside's energetic "Jumper on The Line" - Honoring the spirits of the giants William Bell and R.L. Burnside both songs are a tribute and testament to a timeless musical heritage.
* Special mention goes out to Jojjo Wright who surprises listeners with her irresistible take on Elizabeth Cotton's "Freight Train," served up just right with a cheerful melody and poignant lyrics. Jojjo's voice is a delight: distinctly off-kilter, with just the right amount of country blended in with plenty of soul, spiced just right. Absolutely amazing!
Many thanks to Jojjo Wight for her wonderful and most helpful personal insights into the making of this album. Everyone met in one studio room about 10 minutes from home,and played together live like a regular gig. The goal was to produce music that sounds like the band playing live. All vocals and guitar solos were done in one shot, with zero retakes. 4 hours were spent in the studio with the band recording maybe 15 tracks, with only 5 requiring a second take.One session for track 4 , "Lucy Mae" , with her husband and father-in-law, and one session for horns. The studio time totaled 12 hours, which could have been finished in the initial 4 hour session but the band wanted to add some special guests.
"Love,Peace and Chicken Grease" - The album is actually good enough to eat. It's a masterful blend of musical artistry, a well-balanced remoulade sauce that hits all the right notes: creamy, tangy, and with just enough Creole spice to wake up your taste buds. It's that mouth-watering dish of red beans and rice that irresistibly blends Creole, Cajun, Blues, and multicultural influences. "Love,Peace and Chicken Grease" is perfectly seasoned with plenty of extra special treats—the "Yumbo Mumbo" of releases—featuring unique twists on the traditional just waiting to be devoured and enjoyed.A truly live-in-the-studio triumph, this album features an eclectic mix, that leaves no doubt as to how good this band really is. Weaving together heartfelt blues, gritty swamp textures and Louisiana soul, alongside exceptional musicianship and special guest appearances, the Pontchartrain Shakers have thrown quite a bash for long-time fans and curious newcomers to enjoy. Music made to bring smiles to weary faces, add some boogie to your steps, and bring the happy to the turmoils of the day, "Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease" is pure enjoyment from start to finish.An album that all of us need right now!!
For even more fun check out the band's first album, recorded in New Orleans with 10 outstanding tracks.
Pontchartrain Shakers
Blues in Schools
The Pontchartrain Shakers together with the Meraux Foundation, New Orleans Blues Society, and St Bernard Parish School Board presented the Blues In Schools educational assembly to 500 students at the Chalmette Cultural Arts Center. The students learned about the Blues and the cultural heritage of music in the great state of Louisiana. The children participated in playing percussion instruments and all of the students were gifted egg shakers by the Meraux Foundation. The Pontchartrain Shakers are very proud to bring Blues education to such wonderful students and 'pass the torch' to new generations of children in our community each year.
Thank you to the wonderful organizations, Merau Foundation, New Orleans Blues Society, St Barnard Parish School Board, and the Chalmette Cultural Arts center. You all make Blues In Schools available to the children in our community.
Many thanks to the Pontchartrain Shakers - a fantastic band-
Amedee "A5" Frederick - vocals,guitar / Jojjo Wright - vocals,guitar / Red DeVecca - bass / Earl Smith Jr. - drums /
Special Guests -
Amedee "The Creole Blues Man" Frederick IV-vocals,guitar / Jamie Wight-coronet / Heidi Wight - trombone Mike Loupe - alto saxophone
Review written by - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations
raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1
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