Theresa and TC BLUE

For as long as she's been performing, Lake Worth-based singer songwriter Theresa Lindstrom hasn't had trouble finding an audience. But a musical genre, or even a niche, has been more elusive. That's because Lindstrom -- like most modern songwriters -- incorporates a wide variety of influences and styles. It's an artistic strength but a commercial liability.
"The blues people don't think I'm bluesy enough," Lindstrom explains. "They think I'm more of a country or folk singer, while the country and folk musicians think I'm too bluesy. I just say I'm 'roots music.' That way I cover it all." - The Palm Beach Post

Last year, singer-songwriter Theresa Lindstrom released a real gem of a CD titled "Thinking of Angels". Although she plays mostly blues with her band,TC BLUE, the album reflects more of an acoustic country-pop feel. Lindstrom’s powerful, sandy vocals are used to good effect on the way-catchy "It’s a Beautiful Day" and the short, punchy rocker "My Little Car," alternating with the heart-aching "Some Change," a compassionate tale of homelessness, and ballads of romance and murder. Lindstrom plays some of these songs and other originals both with her band and solo. At Lake Worth’s Bamboo Room, she is hosting a songwriters’ night and a folk and bluegrass night with singer-songwriter Marie Nofsinger. Of the high, lonesome harmonies she attempts with Nofsinger, she says, sometimes the two will just look at each other and say, " ‘I think this is my note. Is it yours?’ It gives you goose bumps when they hit that note. But it gives you goose bumps when they don’t, too," she says with a raucous laugh. With the full band, you’ll hear more of Lindstrom and guitarist Rit Johnson’s blues roots, and they might include songs from Bonnie Raitt, Marcia Ball and Janis Joplin to Stevie Ray, Freddy King, B.B. King or James Brown. With two daughters in college, Lindstrom recently got a day job at Mars Music in West Palm, where she says guitarist Frank Axtell has been teaching her plenty. "He doesn’t mean to," she cracks up once again. Expect more recordings from Lindstrom, both acoustic and electric. Lindstrom also will be appearing Friday at City Link Music Fest.

- City Link Magazine

When Theresa Lindstrom sings, the words take her home, Home as in the stretch of Virginia countryside where she was born and raised. Home as in the suburban South Florida landscape where she brought up her three children.
Home as in the blue-collar bars and family restaurants where she has plied and perfected her trade for more then 20 years.
Lindstrom sings songs about life's little joys and hard lessons-a car that managed to outlast years of neglect and a child who couldn't survive a much crueler sort of abuse, a relationship blossoming into a romance and a marriage gone bad. She sings in a throaty voice that crosses the line between blues and bluegrass.
She sings for everyday people in everyday places.
And she may be the greatest singer whose name you can't quite place. At least for now.
Not that you probably haven't stumbled across Lindstrom at some point. If you've been in any club, any juke joint, pretty much any place in Palm Beach County that has a mike stand, chances are she has sung to you in the distance as you sucked down another draft. Lindstrom is a working artist in the truest sense, going about her business quietly & effectively.
But while all this hard work has made it possible for the thrice-divorced mother to rasie her three kids as a single parent, it's also resulted in a career of near anonymity.
- The Palm Beach Post

Friday, September 02, 2005

Last summer, singer/guitarist Theresa Lindstrom commuted from her apartment in Lake Worth to North Carolina in preparation for the Wilmington and Durham premieres of Southern Redemption Part 1: From Midnight To Morning, Baby, an independent film that featured three of her songs.

What a difference a year makes. Last September's hurricanes practically washed Lindstrom's apartment away, so she has since moved to the Tar Heel State. Tonight, she'll retrace her steps to Lake Worth for the release party celebrating Roll of the Dice, her third independent CD.
Recorded with her quintet, Theresa and TC Blue (with guitarist/vocalist Rit Johnson, bassist/vocalist Mark Lillis, keyboardist Fred "Beetle" Bailey and drummer Dan Hess), the disc features a creative band illustration on the cover and Lindstrom's unique blues/country/folk hybrid (think Norah Jones crossed with Bonnie Raitt) on 14 tracks within.

Roll of the Dice approximates the band's live sound even more than Lindstrom's live-recorded 1998 debut, It's Just Something I Do, or the mostly acoustic sophomore release, 2000's Thinking of Angels. Several guest vocalists and musicians, including me on percussion for three tracks, also participated in the recording sessions for the new CD at Red Room Studio in Pompano Beach.

"It took about a year or more to get the recording done," Lindstrom says from Lumberton. "And we talked about it for three!"

The results prove worth the wait. The rhythm section of Hess and Lillis pairs veterans of elite Palm Beach County acts past (Misbehavin' and Truc of America, respectively). Bailey adds flavorful textures throughout the disc, particularly on Hammond organ, and Johnson's fiery solos echo vintage Johnny Winter. The guitarist also contributes two tunes, the Motown-ish Cool Breeze and slow blues number Can You Tell, and co-composes half of the remaining 12 songs.

Lindstrom's compositions include the rollicking Wrong Man Blues and wistful Damn That Full Moon. Her acoustic closer, Beware of Mista Live-D, was written specifically for the blues-themed, critically acclaimed Southern Redemption Part 1, supposedly the first in a series of three such films. But director Ian Hayes Brett recently moved from North Carolina to Virginia, one factor that has Lindstrom contemplating a move back to the Sunshine State.

"I bounce back and forth on it, and still haven't decided," she says. "But I'll be down throughout September at least, and I might stay in Florida through October."

See Theresa and TC Blue from 6-10 p.m. today for the Roll of the Dice CD release party at "Evening On the Avenues," on the Cultural Plaza Stage at Lake Avenue and Federal Highway in downtown Lake Worth. Phone: (561) 582-4401. The band also has a CD release party Sept. 9 at Rosey Baby in Fort Lauderdale, plus several other local gigs during the next two months, all listed on the Web at www.tcbluemusic.com.

- By Bill Meredith-Special to The Palm Beach Post

The next time someone tells you that all "blues music sounds the same" grab them by the scruff of the neck, sit them down and have them listen to this latest release from Theresa and TC Blue. Here the full gambit of "roots" music is run and resurrected. Most tracks don't follow the traditional 12 bar format giving Theresa and the boys lots of room to roam. The result? A very strong outing from five people who seem to be having a great time doing what they do.
First up "So Special" demonstrates the strength of this band that's prevalent throughout the whole album - a tight funky rhythm section with a backbeat that could get a corpse moving. This is bassman Mark Lillis's tune all the way, rumbling and rolling bottom end that wont quit. Add to the mix some growling harp, funky rhythm guitar and impressive vocals and you have a very strong opener, in fact one of the best songs on the album. The first thing I noticed on this recording is the quality of the mix. The production on this CD is very good and credit should be given to all at Red Room Studio, Pompano Beach, FL for an outstanding job.
"You're Not Foolin' Me" swings and keeps the good time vibe and then jumps into the more laid back funky "Cool Breeze" which features some nice dueling from guest saxophonist Richard Malfitano and guitarist Rit Johnson.
Theresa takes over and shines on the "end of the evening bar room" blues "Can You Tell" and the upbeat "Wrong Man Blues." Rit Johnson also works some frenzied slide here moving in and around the vocals. In fact, Johnson is all over this album often changing the whole tone of a song by using a solo style that is almost out of character with the song, but it works. Check out the country feel of "Thursday Night" to see what I mean. Who would put distortion on the opening of that solo! The middle section of the album has songs that would be well suited for release as a single: the catchy hook of "What's On Your Mind," in particular. It struck me that this would be a perfect album to bring youngsters into the blues fold; it's fast track and edgy, but also has a very playful feel to it. The Blues In The Schools program came to mind. "Damn That Full Moon" sounds as if it was written to be played live and was also a favorite. The album returned to a more standard blues sound for "Hard Hearted Woman" then backed away with the lament of "In The Long Run;" fluidity still running strong.
The next song propels the album to a whole different level. Every band has it's showcase and maybe TC Blue has found it's own in "Blues Finds A Way". Buy this record even if it is for this one song. Sexy sexy vocals has Theresa sounding more like Natalie Merchant than Natalie Merchant, the groove is right there! This is the sweet spot, all cylinders firing in perfect unison. Drummer Dan Hess, Mark Lillis and "Beetle" Bailey on keys nail it down for a tight horn section to provide the funk. The rules change again on "Blues Finds A way" with a stunning flute solo from Malfitano. Flute-Blues. You just got to hear it.....
The only fault I have with the CD comes from this point forward. The last three tracks, although strong don't stand up to the power of "Blues Finds A way" which maybe should have last on the album. The good hearted jumping blues of "Let Me In" suffers most. "Roll Of The Dice" should have you reaching for your lighter though, as it's another good "end of the evening" type anthem. With the final acoustic chords of "Beware Of Mista Live - D" fading from my speakers I was ready to set the computer aside, set the disc to play again and let the good times roll.
-Steve Landy Aug 29, 2005
- Steve Landy of FatBluesCat.com