Kaz HAWKINS - LIPSTICK AND COCAINE

Kaz HAWKINS - Lipstick and Cocaine

Gospel Brunch this week is not one of those classics with a choir led by a big belting voice, with lots of swaying robes and songs of inspiration.  Over the next while there will be plenty of time for that.

This one is an emotionally charged performance from Kaz HAWKINS and includes her powerful vocals and a simple piano accompaniment.  

Kaz has endured an unimaginably difficult life.  From being abused as a child through to drug addiction, being in an abusive relationship and self-inflicting pain.  She ended up a the very bottom. 

During her life she endured more pain and suffering that I could ever imagine.  And on the darkest of all the days, through the help of a policeman and a doctor, Kaz found a way to come back. Lipstick and Cocaine is an autobiographical glimpse into those days and a tribute to those who helped.  

This particular version is an emotional rendition sung in a church from her home town in Belfast

Click Here for Lipstick and Cocaine

Katie Webster- PUSSYCAT MOAN

Katie Webster who was often referred to as 'The Swamp Boogie Queen' or 'Two-Fisted Mama' was a master of the boogie-woogie, blues piano and PussyCat Moan is a great example of her energy and talent.

Katie WEBSTER - the Swamp Boogie Queen

In a documentary she described her music as a kind of gumbo.  It's got some soul, some blues, some zydeco, some gospel, some country stirred with Texas and Louisiana influence.  It all comes together and she together in what Katie calls - Katie Webster gumbo..  

She was known around the south and played with many artists, but I think most notably she was the opening act for Otis Redding for a couple of years.  I just can't imagine how good that would have been.

I got to see her with Detroit blues singer Thornetta Davis, and Bonnie Raitt in a Women of the Blues concert. 

What a great show that was.

Have a listen to this version which comes from a tribute to Alligator Records performance

PussyCat Moan

Bettye LaVETTE - I DO NOT WANT WHAT I HAVE NOT GOT

Rachel introduced me to Bettye... and I am thankful for that.  Great voice... and I really like a good a ccapella tune - especially with a voice like this.

I was surprised that Rachel - with her command of the english language would recommend a song with a double negative in the title.. but I let it go.. 

Click here  

to listen to I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got.

 Click here 

if you want something more traditional ....  a great cover of Joan Armatrading's Down To The Ground

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa - NUTBUSH CITY LIMITS

While this is a duet with Joe Bonamassa, it really is just a showcase for Beth Hart's vocals.  

This cover of the classic Nutbush City Limits is unlike a lot of the other duets Beth does with Joe there isnt' a lot of back and forth, or guitar answering the vocal (a la their fantastic version of I'd rather go blind)

This one just just flat out fun Rock 'n' Roll


Click HERE

Cynthia Erivo - I'M HERE

Cynthia Erivo - I'm here

While 2016 was the year of Hamilton on Broadway, Cynthia ERIVO's performance in The Color Purple was unbelievable.   
During the performance we saw she got 3 standing ovations during the show.. and she deserved it all.

Her performance was truly one of the best I have seen ever...  Just to give you a sense of it, here's a youtube link to her performance on the Colbert show.  Imagine if you can ... seeing the same performance in a theatre in New York .. on a hot summer day .. with Cynthia belting out this performance 50 feet away... unbelievable...  

I am very fortunate to have seen this and Hamilton on our New York Birthday Surprise Getaway weekend.

Watch the YouTube video here.