Shri Blues Band
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Shri Blues Band

Prescott, Arizona, United States | SELF

Prescott, Arizona, United States | SELF
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"Rousing Concert in the Vaulted Cellar with the Shri Blues Band"

[translated from German]

Rousing Concert in the Vaulted Cellar with the Shri Blues Band

Blues and Rock experience in Mundinger "Mehlsack" with Deborah Auletta's authentic voice and outstanding guitar players Franck Giambelluco and Doug Fulker.

EMMENDINGEN-MUNDINGEN. Experts know: Rock'n'roll is in the legs and Blues goes to the heart. The music of Shri at the Mehlsack touched the whole person. On the small stage in the cozy basement, the band developed a musical experience. In 1993 Shri was founded as an all-female band. Today, it appears as a mixed sextet, playing at many major festivals throughout Europe.

In the Mehlsack, Shri is very close to the audience, sometimes even in the middle of it. The music is a direct communication of warm and earthy blues. The audience warms up quickly in the dense atmosphere of the cellar. The voice of singer Deborah Auletta alone is enough to invoke this atmosphere. In her voice trembles the longing for life, jubilant enthusiasm and moaning the pain of the world. She can compare with many of the world famous blues singers, her voice coming from the depths of human experience. Her identification with the content of the lyrics is authentic and convincing.

The concert is characterized not only by her voice, but above all by the great guitarists Franck Giambelluco and Doug Fulker. Originally from France, Franck plays with virtuosity and playfulness, without loss of expressiveness. It is obvious that Giambelluco is, besides the blues, heavily influenced by the great rock guitarists. He is also at home with classic rock, which Shri played before the break and then again in the finale. Giambelluco lets his fingers fly over the strings in the Rolling Stones song "Satisfaction" and he makes his instrument shriek in the style of Jimi Hendrix.

In earthy contrast, Giambelluco is complemented by the playing of Fulker who is clearly rooted in the blues. He is by no means limited to the role of rhythm guitarist, but developed very lively dialogue with his outstanding guitar and singer colleagues Giambelluco and Auletta. With the power of a steam locomotive, Fulker brings to life the world of hobos, U.S. migrant workers and freight train hitchhikers. Again and again, he coaxes from his instrument almost tearful tones, giving the painful character of the blues infinite depth.

The foundation for this sound full of life is being built by Tina Zuccarello, who picks the Fender electric bass just as focused and straightforward as how she manages the touring of the band. Also Zachary Parker plays as a solid and steady drummer, meanwhile, organist Steve Ball rolls out a powerful rhythm carpet with the sound of the Hammond organ and occasionally breaks into solo outings.

Nachama Greenwald contributes her virtuoso blues-harmonica playing in the style of Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson or Paul Butterfield.

The evening started slowly and with much feeling. Increasingly, it developed from blues to rock and interwove the two contrasting styles side by side throughout the evening. Cover songs "Summertime" and "House of the Rising Sun" were interpreted wonderfully with sensitivity and richness. Original compositions from the band like "Sister" and covers songs like "House is a Rockin'" rocked with a fast tempo and intricate guitar soloing. The audience was excited and the dance floor in the background got more and more full as the evening progressed. Shri - a rousing band.

by Markus Zimmermann
Badische-Zeitung 3.9.10 - Badische-Zeitung [Germany]


"Rousing Concert in the Vaulted Cellar with the Shri Blues Band"

[translated from German]

Rousing Concert in the Vaulted Cellar with the Shri Blues Band

Blues and Rock experience in Mundinger "Mehlsack" with Deborah Auletta's authentic voice and outstanding guitar players Franck Giambelluco and Doug Fulker.

EMMENDINGEN-MUNDINGEN. Experts know: Rock'n'roll is in the legs and Blues goes to the heart. The music of Shri at the Mehlsack touched the whole person. On the small stage in the cozy basement, the band developed a musical experience. In 1993 Shri was founded as an all-female band. Today, it appears as a mixed sextet, playing at many major festivals throughout Europe.

In the Mehlsack, Shri is very close to the audience, sometimes even in the middle of it. The music is a direct communication of warm and earthy blues. The audience warms up quickly in the dense atmosphere of the cellar. The voice of singer Deborah Auletta alone is enough to invoke this atmosphere. In her voice trembles the longing for life, jubilant enthusiasm and moaning the pain of the world. She can compare with many of the world famous blues singers, her voice coming from the depths of human experience. Her identification with the content of the lyrics is authentic and convincing.

The concert is characterized not only by her voice, but above all by the great guitarists Franck Giambelluco and Doug Fulker. Originally from France, Franck plays with virtuosity and playfulness, without loss of expressiveness. It is obvious that Giambelluco is, besides the blues, heavily influenced by the great rock guitarists. He is also at home with classic rock, which Shri played before the break and then again in the finale. Giambelluco lets his fingers fly over the strings in the Rolling Stones song "Satisfaction" and he makes his instrument shriek in the style of Jimi Hendrix.

In earthy contrast, Giambelluco is complemented by the playing of Fulker who is clearly rooted in the blues. He is by no means limited to the role of rhythm guitarist, but developed very lively dialogue with his outstanding guitar and singer colleagues Giambelluco and Auletta. With the power of a steam locomotive, Fulker brings to life the world of hobos, U.S. migrant workers and freight train hitchhikers. Again and again, he coaxes from his instrument almost tearful tones, giving the painful character of the blues infinite depth.

The foundation for this sound full of life is being built by Tina Zuccarello, who picks the Fender electric bass just as focused and straightforward as how she manages the touring of the band. Also Zachary Parker plays as a solid and steady drummer, meanwhile, organist Steve Ball rolls out a powerful rhythm carpet with the sound of the Hammond organ and occasionally breaks into solo outings.

Nachama Greenwald contributes her virtuoso blues-harmonica playing in the style of Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson or Paul Butterfield.

The evening started slowly and with much feeling. Increasingly, it developed from blues to rock and interwove the two contrasting styles side by side throughout the evening. Cover songs "Summertime" and "House of the Rising Sun" were interpreted wonderfully with sensitivity and richness. Original compositions from the band like "Sister" and covers songs like "House is a Rockin'" rocked with a fast tempo and intricate guitar soloing. The audience was excited and the dance floor in the background got more and more full as the evening progressed. Shri - a rousing band.

by Markus Zimmermann
Badische-Zeitung 3.9.10 - Badische-Zeitung [Germany]


Discography

Good Thing [LP] (1993)
Hooked [LP] (1994)
Miz Blues Shooz [LP] (1995)
Shrison In Hell: Live at Lyzzard's [LP] (1996)
Shrino Elegies [LP] (1997)
See Shri Play the Blues [Double-LP] (1999)
Flowers of Shrivil [LP] (2001)
Corner on the Rain [LP] (2002)
Livin' on the Streets [LP] (2003)
Live in Europe [Double-LP] (2004)
Time to Get Real [LP] (2005)
Dogs of Devotion [LP] (2007)
Lucky Thirteen [LP] (2009)

Photos

Bio

The Arizona-based Shri Blues Band travels annually throughout North America and Europe attracting attention with its gutsy and faithful renditions of R&B and Delta Blues blended with a bit of rock-n-roll.

With a captivating and danceable groove, Shri’s high-energy style and ability to bring their show right off the stage into the audience make them a favorite for festivals worldwide.

Shri's current players include a blues harpist, two guitarists (one guitarist for U.S. shows), an organ player, drummer, bass player and two vocalists.

Shri has played some of the most prestigious festivals in Europe with blues and jazz dignitaries such as Taj Mahal, James Brown, Marva White and the New Orleans Spiritualettes.

Featured in The Blues Alive - a book on the history of the blues - Shri tours tirelessly; it also has thirteen albums to its name, a large international following, a Sony Music debut on a compilation album with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and a 16th European tour in the making.