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Sista Jean and CB-Back To THe Root
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Sista Jean and C.B. - Back to the Root
Freckle Bandit Music (BMI)
http://www.sonicbids.com/si...
Sista Jean and C.B. - Back to the Root
Freckle Bandit Music (BMI)
http://www.sonicbids.com/sistajeanandcb
10 songs; 46:24 minutes
Styles: Roots Music, Mellow Acoustic Blues
When aficionados mention “the roots of the blues,” of what are they speaking? Are they thinking of cities such as Chicago and New Orleans? Perhaps they have mental images of masters like Muddy Waters. Maybe they’re pondering what makes early blues unique, including measured bars and repeated lyrics in an A-A-B rhyme scheme. In this case, the answer is “all of the above!” On their debut album, Los Angeles music scene veterans Sista Jean McClain and Carlyle Barriteau (C.B.) are going “Back to the Root” in a solid outing. Here are three out of ten original selections that prove this point perfectly:
Track 1: “Back It Up Train”--This is the CD’s best example of acoustic blues for three reasons: 1) it’s an instant earworm; 2) its message is quintessential: “send my baby home to me”, and 3) one of two guests, Troy Dexter, plays accompanying Dobro in an understated yet awesome fashion! Sista Jean may not have Janis Joplin’s trademark wail mastered, but her other butter-rich vocals make up for it. Nice placement putting “Back It Up Train” as the first song on “Back to the Root;” it “chugs” into listeners’ heads with lightning speed!
Track 3: “Don’t Want What U Got”--Those who search for a sneering rant to a lousy lover will be disappointed here, but not those who prefer poignancy. This song’s best feature is its deep lyrics: “‘No promises or demands’ was always the way I kept things close at hand. But now I’m ready to change, and with God willing, I know I can stand!” Here is a ballad for everyone in a relationship who’s “always there at the end” [the breakup], but “never there for the finish” [a peaceful resolution to problems instead of a breakup]. Beware: it’s a tearjerker!
Tracks 2 and 8 feature the other guest, David Vidal, on harmonica and slide Pedal Steel.
Track 10: “You Can Dance to the Bluez”-- Die-hard purists will likely object thusly, “It’s obvious why the last word of this song’s title has a ‘z’ in it. It misrepresents our favorite musical genre entirely!” Nevertheless, the goal of Track 10 on this album is to propel people onto the dance floor instead of soapbox-debating whether or not it’s “real” blues. It’s peppy and highly enjoyable no matter what. There’s no chance of a grouchy mood sticking around while “You Can Dance...” reverberates from one’s CD player! C.B.’s up-tempo guitar hook is irresistible.
On the band’s website, Sista Jean explains, “I feel like I’m finally coming full circle with the music and with the direction I want to take it…As long as you can sing, the people will want you time and time again. We’re laying everything on the line now!” One thing’s for sure: in returning “Back to the Root,” Sista Jean and C.B. have found theirs.
Reviewer Rainey Wetnight is a 32 year old female Blues fan. She brings the perspective of a younger blues fan to reviews. A child of 1980s music, she was strongly influenced by her father’s blues music collection.
Source @ http://www.thebluesblast.com/Archive/BluesBlasts/2012/BluesBlast4_12_12.htm
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BACK TO THE ROAD-SISTA JEAN & CB
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I've been listening to the new Sista Jean & C.B. release entitled Back To The Root. This is a easy...
I've been listening to the new Sista Jean & C.B. release entitled Back To The Root. This is a easy going bluesy recording with 10 original tracks by Carlyle Barriteau (C.B) on guitars and percussion and "Sista" Jean McClain on vocals. Backing the band is Troy Dexter who adds some dobro as well as Keys and David Vidal who plays harmonica and pedal steel. Don't Want What U Got is a terrific song. It's one that will stick to your ribs. Jean's vocals are clear and strong and the guitar is clean and well articulated. Love Is Callin is another stand out track with a duet between Jean and the acoustic guitar with a clean dobro solo. Free My Heart is another track with a beautiful melody. Jean amd C.B. demonstrate that you really don't need an entourage to make great music. U Best Know is an uptempo track with harmonica and pedal steel featured along with Jeans vocals. It will get your head bobbin in time. Perfect Day For A Rescue is a jazzy number and i think it will appeal to most listeners. You Can Dance completes the set and Jean leads the way ... this could break loose into a horn dynamo. The duo keeps the song contained but there are some tasty solo guitar riffs. Sista Jean and C.B. have put out a light, airy blues oriented cd that should appeal to a broad audience.
Enjoy
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"Sista Jean & CB'S" Back To The Root
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Sista Jean & C.B. are a California-based duo that specializes in acoustic blues. Sista Jean (Jean M...Sista Jean & C.B. are a California-based duo that specializes in acoustic blues. Sista Jean (Jean McClain) has worked as a session singer with artists from Cher to Mick Jagger to Tina Turner to Bobby Caldwell. She also recorded in the 90’s as Pepper MaShay. C.B. is Carlyle Barriteau, a native of Aruba who is well-known as a singer/guitarist on the smooth jazz scene and has played guitar for Caldwell, Thelma Houston, and Patti Austin. They recently released their debut effort on Freckled Bandit Records, called Back To The Root, a delightful and intimate set of acoustic blues and soul.
McClain is no stranger to the blues, as she’s provided vocals for several of Joe Henry’s recent productions (Hugh Laurie, Solomon Burke, Allen Toussaint). She does an excellent job on a varied set of tunes that touch on blues, soul, jazz, and even gospel. The duo wrote all ten songs and there’s not a clunker in the bunch. Highlights include the funky opener, “Back It Up Train,” the deep soul number “Don’t Want What U Got,” “Wine Me, Dine Me,” the soulful “Love is Callin,” “Speak to Me Lord,” and “You Can Dance To The Bluez.”
McClain’s vocals are smooth and understated, which is perfect for the material. Barriteau’s acoustic guitar is right on the money, right where it needs to be on each number. They play unaccompanied on five of the ten songs, but are joined by Troy Dexter (Dobro, Fender Rhodes) and David Vidal (harmonica, slide pedal steel) on several tracks.
Back To The Root is warm and soulful, qualities that all blues albums should have. This one has been getting a lot of play at my house, and will continue to do so for quite awhile.
Graham Clarke
Blues Bytes
Friday Blues Fix
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Pepper MaShay Getting Back To Her Musical Roots
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Whenever a Pepper MaShay song is played it makes everyone get up and want to dance! She has rocke...
Whenever a Pepper MaShay song is played it makes everyone get up and want to dance! She has rocked the dance floor with songs as Freeway of Love; Use Somebody; I Can't Stop; Does your Mamma Know; Lost your mine; Singed, Sealed, Delivered with Colton Ford.
But of course it was the TV series “Queer as Folk” anthem, "Dive in the Pool" which made her an iconic name on the gay dance circuit.
Pepper’s new CD “Back to the Root” is a departure – but a wonderful one. It's light, jazzy, soulful - a perfect fit for her amazing voice. I had the honor of speaking with Pepper about her new adventure. Enjoy.
Music lovers know you as Pepper MaShay but on this album you Sista Jean - any reason?
The reason I call myself “Sista Jean" is because first it’s my real name and second i wanted the project to really go back to how I got started in the music business. I want folks to really get a feeling when they listen to "Back To The Root".
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I'm just as passionate about "Pepper MaShay" songs but there is a difference when it comes to "The Blues".
You better be on your game when it comes to singing songs that come from the gut!! And i wanted to re-create a spirit when it came to the songs. i draw from many different periods in the music's evolution. I was a radio kid and all of the music from the late 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's comes ringing true when you listen to each song on the cd.
How was it working with C.B.?
CB is the most giving, and humble person I’ve worked with and he's a great musician who takes his playing very serious. People don't know that he's the producer on the latest "Pepper MaShay" remake of "Use Somebody". I feel I’m the luckiest person in the world working with him and in knowing his great family. Allot of the music today is so dumbed down I feel fortunate to have his skills and knowledge when it comes to putting together the songs we'll be doing in the future.
What surprised you about working on your album?
I was surprised on how focused I was on doing the project, writing the songs on time, and working very proficiently with my music partner Carlyle Barriteau(CB). I was so use to working by myself on projects that it was an amazing collaboration on all 10 songs.
Do you have a favorite song? I have a few favorites:
My first is "Back It Up Train"-This one is a tribute to all of the bands i put together back in the '70's when I really wanted a band like Carlos Santana (because of the great singers he had in his band) along with his powerful lead guitar playing Second is "Don't Want What U Got" I look upon this song as my traveling song. It’s hard trying to find love with someone when you're always gone and there's not anybody in this world who's going to wait for you. I wanted to really come true with the emotion in the song.
How was the creating process of this cd? Different from the past?
Well, I carried around a writing pad so that any ideas I got when I was on the road I could easily jot them down, play them on my guitar, tape the ideas, and then take them to CB so that he could really put the chords in the right place while I concentrated on the vocals and the vocal arrangements. I worked out great and I look forward in writing like this for our second cd.
Did this CD bring you out of your comfort zone - Since you are well known for your dance floor singles?
Yes. I felt vulnerable without all of the flash, makeup, and giving up production to other producers. I feel like I had allot to prove to the outside world that I’m a viable artist and that I should be heard. Being a dance artist can only take someone like me only so far. I feel I have allot to prove in my singing and writing skills. From my timetable, I should have made it a long time ago. But I became a parent and didn't want anything to get in the way of that. I have 2 sons Trey and Bryan and they mean everything to me. Times have changed for me as a dance artist. Since Lady Gaga has arrived on the scene, young people feel they can be stars and that they don't need to watch someone like me for less than an hour. The days of going to the club, doing your little dance hits seem like they are a thing of the past.
Will you both be touring with the CD?
I sure hope so. It’s grueling to basically be starting all over and doing it from scratch. I'm hoping we'll be able to open up for acts like Mavis Staples, Keb Mo, Ruthie Foster, and others like these great singers and musicians.
What would like your listeners of the album to go away with?
I'd like for the listeners to go away knowing that there are artists who still care about the art of music and that it matters how you put the package together. Also, I’d like for the younger people to try and visualize on how it felt to hear a Sam Cooke for the first time or Listen to a Wilson Pickett song. I want to capture those moments in each of our songs.
What is your next adventure?
Right now, I'm still promoting hard and heavy "Back to the Root" trying to get reviews, and for radio to play our project and open up for some great artists. I'm also creating an EP of songs for "Pepper MaShay".
I haven't given up on dance music as a whole, but I’m not liking where the music is going in Dance Music. Sounds too much like video game music without vocals. Maybe, it’s just my age talking.
What has been the response to the CD?
I've gotten great response from some of my music friends that I truly respect, I receive a great review from Graham Clark who writes for "Bluesbytes" and has his own blog "FridayBluesFix.blogspot.com
I went after the best and he loves the cd. I have received allot of love from the Australian radio internet. They go to my link http://www.sonicbids.com/sistajeanandcb and have asked for the cd to play on their stations. You would think that in my own country folks world be open, but I’m not finding that at all. It really disappoints me that radio has gone toward the days of payola, and that you're nobody unless you end up second rate on a reality show. These are two things I will never do. I don't care how long it takes me; I will be the last one standing.
To buy the new albums go to: http://www.sonicbids.com/sistajeanandcb
For more info on Pepper Mashay visit: http://www.pridenation.com/pepper/
Continue reading on Examiner.com Pepper MaShay Getting Back To Her Musical Roots - Los Angeles GLBT events | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/glbt-events-in-los-angeles/pepper-mashay-getting-back-to-her-roots#ixzz1qZbVSxEc
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"Sista Jean & CB" Have Gone Back To The Root
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The first thing that comes to mind as I listen to "Back To The Root" is, a hot, sunny day, a pit...
The first thing that comes to mind as I listen to "Back To The Root" is, a hot, sunny day, a pitcher of ice cold lemonade and a porch filled with some good ol'Roots music.
And who's supplying the music? Well it can only be Sista Jean & C.B.!!!
Who's that??? Is that what you're asking?
Well, Sista Jean is none other than Miss Jean McClain, one of the best vocalists I know of who has toured with one of my favorite artists; Bobby Caldwell. You might also know Jean as Urban/Soul & House music artist, Pepper MaShay
And C.B. is guitarist extraordinaire, Carlyle Barriteau, who also tours with Bobby Caldwell as well as being a solo artist in his own right.
From the moment you start to listen, you're taken on a trip of roots, blues and gospel. You'll think you're listening to classics of old, but all the songs are original. A huge thumbs up for that!!
Jean's vocals are classic, robust and deeply soulful. And I didn't know this but she is playing guitar on this album!!
What's also amazing to me is Carlyle is not from the South, but from the Caribbean.
Yet, you'd think he'd been raised in the thickest parts of Mississippi!!!
I love the organic nature of this album. There's no bass, no drums, no keys. Just guitar, harmonica and vocals. It's so simple and yet it isn't. Jean and Carlyle truly show their talents from songwriting to skills. I can only imagine this had to have been fun to work on.
Back To The Root is definitely worth a listen.
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"Sista Jean & CB'S" Back To The Root
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Poignant, Inspiring, Soulful is just the tip of the iceberg in describing Sista Jean & C.B.'s coll...
Poignant, Inspiring, Soulful is just the tip of the iceberg in describing Sista Jean & C.B.'s collaboration Back to the Root. C.B.'s masterful use of the guitar coupled with the passionate voice of Sista Jean wraps their fans in a warm, inviting blanket and invite those not familiar with this duo to join them. Even a greater testament to Sista Jean is her ability to master genres of music. This Dance Diva shows us that her talent is raw, masterful, and can conquer whatever she sets her mind too. This album is one for the ages and like a fine wine gets better with each listen.
Michael Dean Shelton/
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SISTA JEAN & CB PERFORM AT "THE TALKING STICK"
ANNETTE CONLON- "CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR ALBUM TO BE RELEASED"
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"SISTA JEAN & CB" NEW ON THE ACOUSTIC SCENE"
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Thanks again for your participation on the MAMAPALOOZA stage - it was a pleasure to work with such...
Thanks again for your participation on the MAMAPALOOZA stage - it was a pleasure to work with such a great talent!
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So.CAL.BLUES SOCIETY'S WINNER OF THE BATTLE OF BLUES BAND'S 2012
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SO. CAL. BLUES SOCIETY 2012:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES 20 BANDS C...SO. CAL. BLUES SOCIETY 2012:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES 20 BANDS CONTEST.
1ST PLACE - SISTA JEAN'S BLUES MACHINE
2ND PLACE - LIGHTNIN' WILLIE & THE POORBOYS
3RD PLACE - SHARI PUORTO
EVERYONE PLAYED GREAT. THE 3RD PLACE THRU 10TH PLACE BANDS'S SCORES WERE ALL VERY CLOSE - JUST WITHIN A FEW POINTS OF EACH OTHER!
THE WINNER GET'S A CHANCE TO COMPETE IN THE BLUES FOUNDATION'S "INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE" ON BEALE STREET IN MEMHIS,TENN.19312 FROM JAN.29 TO FEB.2,2013.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ABOUT 200 BLUES FANS, MUSICIANS AND OUR INCREDIBLE 15 VOLUNTEERS WHO ALL CAME OUT TO SUPPORT THE EVENT! WE LOVE YOU!
supersonic
