Freebo with Dan Navarro "Something To Believe"

Freebo. The name says all kinds of things, just on its own, and about the legend that it belongs to. We are not talking freebo.com, as that is one of those newfangled free car advertisement sites. We are talking Freebo on the WIKI...

Freebo is a bass and tuba player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer noted primarily for his work with Bonnie Raitt. He is also a respected session musician who has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Willy DeVille, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and many others.

His long collaboration with Raitt began when he attracted Raitt's attention as a member of Philadelphia's Edison Electric Band in the 1960s. Freebo was soon in great demand for studio work and touring.

In recent years, he has recorded three solo albums: The End Of The Beginning (1999), Dog People (2002), and Before The Separation (2006).

Wow, what a career! Now Freebo has embarked on a deeper exploration, which manifests in his songwriting and beyond. He is working on a brand new album, which we are hoping to see in the near future. His love of all earthy, real, roots music and rock 'n roll will make it a treat, I am sure. When he was up on our bus in February he contributed to the Keep The Light Alive recording for Eric Lowen, and then he asked to lay down one of his brand new songs. He wrote this with Eric Lowen, and performed it for us with Dan Navarro.

- Jessie Scott

Margo Valiante "Mama Don't Know"

She has such an evocative voice, such an easy, masterful delivery. Margo Valiante (you pronounce all the syllables) was the last person we booked for our Threadgill's showcases back in March. The last few slots fell like Pachinko balls, I had people want to do what was left, one after the other until there was just the one open, and it was gone. Margo, unknown to me at the time, was working with the legendary and wonderful Rich Brotherton. He produced her EP I Can't Pray which hit the street about a month ago. She moved to Austin from Jackson, WY in autumn of 2008. Austin is such a Mecca for those that hear the muse; reminiscent of young actors relocating to LA, of young theater folks being drawn to New York.

Me, I am loving the blues-infused soulfulness creeping back into the music that I listen to. It is deep and rich and moving. Margo Valiante is touring now, maybe she's coming to a town near you. Hope so, cause we were SO impressed when we saw her!

- Jessie Scott

Theresa Andersson "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep"

Gawd!!! It has been a sausage fest again lately! Time for some female energy, dontcha think?

Theresa Andersson is an old friend of mine, not that she is old. She is an extraordinary artist. Brave and true, fiddle (…or is it violin in this case?) powerful vocals, plus grace (and accuracy) in her barefooted-ness. Theresa moved to New Orleans from Sweden over a decade ago, when she was just eighteen, and her music reflects the timbre of both worlds. Her most recent project, following on the heels of her latest album, Hummingbird, Go! is her very first live concert DVD, Theresa Andersson: Live at Le Petit, recorded on February 28, 2010 at the historic Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans.

Just two years ago, she conceptualized becoming a one woman band and then set up a webcam in her kitchen to capture it for a few close friends and relatives. The kitchen video of "Na Na Na" quickly spread across YouTube. Then again, you might have seen her on YouTube during the Saints' march to the Super Bowl. Theresa collaborated with Aaron Neville on Carlo Nuccio's "Glory Bound" which is the follow up to the famous New Orleans Saints’ anthem, "Who Dat."

The video posted here is taken from the live DVD project, and features her singing and playing into "loop recorders" to create extra sonics to play along and harmonize with. Promise me you will watch this video, "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep." It is just incredible! It WILL move you!

- Jessie Scott