No Depression review: “Get Satisfied with Lisa Mann’s CD!”
http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/get-satisfied-with-lisa-mann-s-cd
GET “SATISFIED” WITH LISA MANN’S CD
posted by R Leckey Harrison
No Depression: The Roots Music Authority
Thank Star Wars for Satisfied, the CD that was produced, played, and mostly written by Lisa Mann. She also manages the band and books all their gigs. What’s Star Wars have to do with it? It piqued her curiosity, which melded her talent with a homegrown sass into “How can I play that…?”
It all started at B&B Loans in West Virginia, where Lisa first played a Hohner copy bass, like the one Paul McCartney played. Today she’s playing a 6 string Tobias and Warwick. Ooo, a six string you say, in blues music? Oh yea, the girl has sass.
Check out the way this album opens, with See You Next Tuesday. Normal set-backs? “See you next Tuesday, I don’t want to deal with you today.” Not convinced? Listen to Til The Wheels Drop Off, “I’m gonna keep on doin’ it because it’s all that I’ve got…what makes my body rise is the music in my head….I’m gonna do it till the wheels drop off.” She’s all in, this Lisa Mann, and it shows. It’s a gentle sass though. It’s an energetic playful sass, not in your face sassy, as she is incredibly friendly, and grateful, judging by the closer on this album, Doin’ Alright, a song that coincidentally shows off her vocal ability after an album of her bass playing abilities.
Did you know she “thanks” Johann Sebastian Bach on the inside of the album? The reason she went to six string bass to begin with was to play Paganini’s 24th Caprice properly.
Yup, that’s how talented and original she is.
In this her second CD, Lisa composed nine of the thirteen songs, and in five of those songs she invites fellow musicians in to help out. The song Always Nobody features Lloyd Jones on vocals and guitar, and it was his experiences that inspired the song. Lisa credits Rae Gordon, one of the backup vocalists with inspiring See You Next Tuesday. Do you see a trend here? Lisa sees the story in lives around her and can turn it into a song. The Kings of Black Gold, featuring Mitch Kashmar on harmonica, is a personal statement of hers, and she couples it with a swampy growling beat. It thumps the message home quite well, and has its own metaphorical message as well. On a great slow blues tune, Surrender to the Blues, listen at the 2:12 mark. Such a sweet little Joe McCarthy horn embellishment, it is. Joining her Really Good Band (Jeff Knudsen – guitar, Michael Ballash – drums, and Brian Harris – Keys) is a total of fifteen others, making this album the high quality production it is.
According to Lisa, “Using the 6 for blues raises some eyebrows, but today you see more and more bass players using them (especially in R&B), although not necessarily the way I use it. I often play chords and double-stops (often dominant chords) when the guitarist or keyboardist is soloing in order to strengthen the chord that’s playing in the background, while maintaining the integrity of a solid bass line at the same time. I do so with a flamenco-type plucking technique, using strong thumb downstrokes on the low note while plucking upward with both index and middle fingers for the chord, or by stroking the entire chord downward with a flicking motion or with my thumb.”
Does that not excite you!? That is an artist. That artistry shines best on this record on an aptly titled tune named “Alone.” A jazzy little number, and alone it is. Its Lisa’s voice and her bass, and you get to hear first-hand, in a song that sounds every bit like an electric piano, except when she hits the harmonics, how talented this woman is. A great blues tune with a delicate touch, and an excellent production decision to do it this way.
Any blues fan will find something to satisfy them on this CD. Some will find many things to satisfy them. Add this Lisa Mann CD to your collection. Get Satisfied yourself.
MORE >>Blues Music Magazine – Review
Lisa Mann SATISFIED
Lisa Mann is from Portland, Ore., and has been a mainstay of the Northwest music scene for several years. She was inducted into the Cascade Blues Association’s Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2011 she and her Really Good Band represented the CBA at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis where they were semi finalists. Mann plays bass, sings, writes nine tracks, and also produced this fine (and diverse) disc. Her solid band is made up with Jeff Knudson’s guitar, Michael Ballash’s drumming, and Brian Harris’ keys. Lloyd Jones also makes an appearance adding his distinctive voice and guitar.
“See You Next Tuesday” starts this album in good-natured high-gear fashion featuring Mann’s hard-hitting vocals and a powerhouse performance by the entire band. More high-paced antics ensue on Little Milton and Oliver Sain’s “Satisfied” that finds Mann and company flying low to the ground with solid keys from Harris, heady guitar from Knudson, and Mann’s powerful vocals. “Always Nobody” adds Jones’s guitar and vocal; it’s a short and sweet tune where they blend well together. The mood shifts on Mann’s “Have I Told You I Love You Today,” with acoustic guitar, bass, and drums shining a light on Mann’s diverse vocal styles and her keen and heartfelt songwriting skills. This tune might start softly, but concludes with a rush courtesy of Knudson’s soaring electric guitar. Mann shows off her vocal range covering the moody and gentle “Alone.” Mann’s voice soars on Maxwell Davis and Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s “Don’t Touch Me,” where it’s blues time in high style especially with the addition of horns. Mann’s “Doin’ Alright” takes us home funky with gospel undertones and exciting vocals by Mann and guest Brian Foxworth who sings background and plays drums.
For the moment, Mann is mostly a Northwest regional secret, but I suspect that brighter days are within range for Mann, as she’s a talent to be reckoned with. With music that deserves to appear on North American radio charts, she should begin to receive an abundance of strong press reviews, and thus be in position to garner fans from coast to coast.
By Bob Putignano
As Published in
Blues Music Magazine
Issue One
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Artful Giving Blanket Concert Benefits Childrens Hospital, Saturday July 27th
Soulful Giving is hosting an incredible day of music at the gorgeous Yoshida Estate in Troutdale, OR on Saturday, July 27th. Artists to perform include Dumpstaphunk, Mingo Fishtrap, Monophonics, Linda Hornbuckle, Andy Stokes, Vicki Stevens and Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann, Peter Dammann and DK Stewart. The bill also features delicious food from Salty’s, El Gaucho, Morton’s Steak House and more, an auction of valuable items including diamond jewelry and tickets to Mt Hood SkiBowl, and an art show and sale. All proceeds will benefit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emmanuel and Providence Cancer Research Center.
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.soulfulgiving.org/home. General admission starts at only $25!
Soulful Giving’s mission statement: “We exist as an Oregon Non-profit organization focused on cancer research, care and treatment within the local region. Dedicated volunteers provide the ultimate commitment by managing fund raising events to unlock the potential medical cure of cancers.”
MORE >>Lisa Mann Tours the Northeast with Diane Blue, June 18-23
AWARD-WINNING PORTLAND, OREGON MUSICIAN LISA MANN TO TOUR NORTHEAST WITH BOSTON’S DIANE BLUE IN JUNE
When Boston’s Diane Blue competed in the 2011 International Blues Challenge at BB King’s club in Memphis, she was competing on the same stage against Lisa Mann and her “Really Good Band” from Portland, Oregon. The two front-women admired each others work, and decided to start an East-West collaboration. Diane Blue went to the Pacific Northwest in February, and now, Lisa Mann is coming to the Boston area for a whirlwind tour with Diane Blue in the middle of June.
Tues June 18- guest w/ Eddie Scheer’s All-Stars at Smoken Joe’s BBQ, 351 Washington St in Brighton MA, 8pm
Wed June 19- guest with Travis Colby at L’Attitude, 2190 Broad Street in Cranston, RI, 8:30pm
Thurs June 20- guest w/ Eddie Scheer at Ming Dynasty, 752 Plain St in Marshfield, MA, 8pm
Fri June 21- Black Eyed Sally’s, 350 Asylum Street in Hartford, CT
Sat June 22- Bull Run, 215 Great Rd in Shirley MA, “Summer Blues Spectacular!”
Sun June 23rd- The Grog, 13 Middle Street, Newburyport MA, guest at the Parker Wheeler Jam
TIP JAR!
