Jon Bream for Star Tribune – Bobby McFerrin, vocalist extraordinaire, has a philosophy for his all-improvisational concerts: “We enter the stage empty, but we exit full.” The same could be said for his interviews. Calling last week from his home in Philadelphia, McFerrin hesitatingly answered a few questions and then declared: “Gosh, it’s been three years since I’ve done an interview. I forgot how to answer any of these questions.” He agreed to a chat before his rare four-night stand this week at the Dakota, a return to the Twin Cities, where he lived from 1994-2001 when he served as creative chair of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. For the interview, the 68-year-old, 10-time Grammy winner phoned 10 minutes early, something that rarely happens in show business. He started answering questions laconically and eventually blossomed.

Find the full article at Star Tribune

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Lee Zimmerman for Glide Magazine – One might think it’s a bit early in their infancy for string band Twisted Pine to offer up a covers EP. Having written every song on their well-received debut, Dreams might have been conceived as a stopgap of some sort, one designed to give them ample time to write more material of their own origination. After all, a lifetime’s worth of accumulated compositions goes into an initial outing, but there’s a lot less time allowed for a follow-up.

Consequently, it’s understandable that this perky and playful ensemble might want to bide their time and simply offer a set of songs that betrays both influences and intents. While many outfits and artists that aim to revive some standards make no attempt at all to re-imagine the music, Twisted Pine do just that, remaking each of these songs in ways that reflect their own distinctive style. Some of the material is all but unrecognizable unless one leans in and listens, but even then, the group’s giddy approach tends to dominate in ways that ensure these tunes become their own.

Find the full article at Glide Magazine

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Aaron Irons for THE 11TH HOUR – It’s already been a great year for Marcia Ball. Her latest album, Shine Bright, is a boogie woogie banquest of high-energy original songs as well as a few cuts from some of Marcia’s heroes and contemporaries. She’s as excited as he’s ever been in her 50+ year career. Not only has she been named the official Texas State Musician for 2018, but this fall, Marcia will be inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Speaking to me from her home in Austin, TX, Marcia took me to school and gave me a history lesson on the Live Music Capital of the World.

 

 

Find the full interview at The 11th Hour

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Michael Bialas for Pop Matters – Heralded as an unconventional Americana string quartet based in Boston, the four versatile members of Twisted Pine have emerged from underneath the covers to reveal their love for the Beatles, Scissor Sisters, the Cranberries and, yes, disco-era Blondie.

The result is a charming, refreshing take on oldies but goodies by the figurative twisted sisters and brothers who all lend their voices to this band that includes lead vocalists Kathleen Parks (fiddle) and Rachel Sumner (guitar), mandolinist Dan Bui and bassist Chris Sartori.

As they prepare for the Friday (June 8) release of Dreams (via Signature Sounds), their EP of seven wildly innovative covers of songs including “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin'”, and the title cut, the fearless foursome present the music video premiere of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” today (June 5) at PopMatters.

The song written by new wave wonder woman Debbie Harry and her musical partner Chris Stein launched Blondie and their third album, 1978’s Parallel Lines, into the pop culture stratosphere with her sexy vocals and the band’s propulsive disco beat.

Twisted Pine’s Parks elevates the new music video with breathy vocals, fiddlelicious fury and smooth dancehall moves during a spirited performance under the direction of her best friend, videographer Zoe Mitchell, who shot it during a sunny and breezy afternoon on the first day of May in an alleyway of Boston’s North End.

Read the full article at Pop Matters

Find the video on YouTube

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