A cold May afternoon in Alabama at Sloss Furnace.......

[TF940]

.......but there was nothing cold about the music!

The Erin Mitchell Band CD release party was held this past Sunday at Sloss Furnace in Birmingham. Mother Nature saw fit to withdraw the rain, but left a chilling breeze and unseasonably cool temperatures just to remind us all she's still in charge.

Those of us who were there though didn't mind it one bit. There was plenty of good friends, good food and drinks and fantabulistic hot soul/blues music to keep us warm.

Spoonful James started the afternoon off. Yes, they did perform Seven Mile Breakdown - at which point my hubby, thinking himself quite the comedian, leaned over to me and said, "They did that better than Taylor...just sayin." Just to let him have his moment, I shot him "the look" and let him stumble all over himself saying, "I was just kidding, baby."

The Big Tasties were up next and man let me tell you - they were hot! I'd never seen them as a group before, but once I saw the members, I realized I had seen them individually at various places around Birmingham. Sam came out and played with them some, as did Brian Less. It was a hot, hot scene on that stage and the sounds were just as hot.

And then, the moment we were all there for - Ms. Erin Mitchell. She and Sam were soooo happy.....they both just glowed on that stage. I don't think I have ever seen Sam Gunderson so animated on stage as he was Sunday night. He danced around more than I've ever seen him do before. Erin sang the blues and oozed soul as she belted out some original tunes, and some songs that friend and fellow singer/songwriter Kendra Sutton had written and allowed her to record on her album.

Erin was backed by a 12 piece band - 3 phenomenal back up singers - it was just great. The horns, the back up vocals, the keyboards, Matt and Mitch and Sam and Eddie - all backing Erin's strong soulful voice - You just shoulda been there......cause I'm all out of adjectives.

It had been a long time coming, but it was surely worth the wait. The album is great. I knew that September night in 2006 at Ona's, the first time I had the pleasure of hearing Erin sing, that she was going to do great things. This album is just the first of many. I'm so proud of her and so blessed to be able to call her my friend. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for her and Sam and Mitch and Matt - The Erin Mitchell Band - I'm sure we'll be hearing more of that name!

As an aside, there were lots of other musicians that helped record the album - Brian Less and Zippy D - both names you all will recognize are just two of the many that are also on the album. I just had to give them mention.

To purchase the CD go to http://www.segueproduction.com They went on sale there today. Paypal verified.

Here's a few pictures - it was dark, so quality isn't that great.


















~V

[Georgia]

Sounds like a great time, V! I'm glad they had a good turnout despite the weather. I look forward to checking out the CD.

[Speak Out]

Looks like you had a fantastic time V! I wish they'd come back this way, they were so good at The Cutting Room.

Love the color of Erin's dress. Thanks for sharing!