b. March 20th, 1949 in Orange (Texas)
CIRCUIT QUEEN
Capitol
1978
Pour son premier disque en solo, Marcia livre un album au son résolument country entourée d'excellents musiciens : Albert Lee, David Briggs, Wayne Jackson, Lea Jane Berinati, Ginger Holladay, Buddy Emmons. "Circuit queen" est enregistré à Nashville (production de Neil Wilburn). Marcia pose parfaitement sa jolie voix sur "Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight", "I'll be doggone", "Train to Dixie", "Big river".
For her first solo album, Marcia delivers resolutely country-oriented album surrounded by excellent musicians : Albert Lee, David Briggs, Wayne Jackson, Lea Jane Berinati, Ginger Holladay, Buddy Emmons. "Circuit queen" was recorded in Nashville (production by Neil Wilburn). Marcia perfectly puts her pretty voice on "Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight", "I'll be doggone", "Train to Dixie", "Big river".
BLUES AT KERRVILLE
Silverwolf
end 1970's
Marcia a participé plusieurs fois au festival de Kerrville au Texas. Dans ce disque, elle joue "My man is two time lover" et "Under love's spell".
Marcia has performed several times at Kerrville Festival in Texas. In this album, she plays "My man is two time lover" and "Under love's spell".
SOULFUL DRESS
Rounder
1983
Le changement est complet après le country "Circuit queen". Cette fois, l'inspiration provient clairement du rhythm & blues néo-orléanais de Fats Domino et Professor Longhair. Très convaincante au chant et au piano, elle est accompagnée d'un superbe groupe avec le brillant guitariste Kenny Ray et le saxophoniste texan Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff. On trouve dans ce premier disque pour Rounder - et produit par Denny Bruce - quelques reprises plutôt bien maitrisées ("Jailbird") et des compositions personnelles dignes d'interêt ("Eugene", "A thousand times"). On notera aussi la participation de Stevie Ray Vaughan sur le morceau "Soulful dress".
The change is complete after the country album "Circuit queen". This time, the inspiration clearly comes from the New Orleans rhythm & blues of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair. Very convincing on both vocals and piano, accompanied by a beautiful group with the brilliant guitarist Kenny Ray and the Texan saxophonist Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff. We find in this first disc for Rounder - and produced by Denny Bruce - a few rather well mastered covers ("Jailbird") and personal compositions worthy of interest ("Eugene", "A thousand times"). Note also the participation of Stevie Ray Vaughan on the track "Soulful dress".
HOT TAMALE BABY
Rounder
April 1985
Pour ce second album chez Rounder, la production a été confiée à Scott Billington. Les musiciens sont différents mais le style reste le même entre rhythm & blues louisianais et soul-blues : "Never like this before", "Hot tamale baby", "If I ever needed love" et sa composition "That's enough of that stuff" (très beau solo de piano). Un album très sympathique et entrainant mais malheureusement un peu court (32 minutes seulement).
For this second album on Rounder, production was entrusted to Scott Billington. Musicians are different but the style remains the same between Louisiana rhythm & blues and soul-blues : "Never like this before", "Hot tamale baby", "If I ever needed love" and her own composition "That's enough of that stuff" (beautiful piano solo). A very enjoyable and stirring album but unfortunately a bit short (only 32 minutes).
GATORHYTHMS
Rounder
1989
Produit par Marcia Ball et Steve Tillisch, enregistré à Austin, cet opus recrée ce cocktail rhythm & blues, blues et country qui fonctionne parfaitement. Aux côtés de Marcia, un groupe de musiciens de premier choix comptant dans ses rangs Don Bennett, Derek O'Brien, Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Rodney Craig. On peut relever dans cet excellent disque une superbe reprise de Dr John ("How you carry on") et deux remarquables morceaux composés par Lee Roy Parnell (dont le magnifique blues "What's a girl to do").
Produced by Marcia Ball and Steve Tillisch, recorded in Austin, this album recreates this rhythm & blues, blues and country cocktail that works perfectly. Beside Marcia, a group of first-rate musicians with Don Bennett, Derek O'Brien, Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Rodney Craig in his ranks. It may be noted in this excellent disc, a superb cover of Dr. John ("How you carry on") and two remarkable tracks composed by Lee Roy Parnell (including the magnificent blues "What's a girl to do").
DREAMS COME TRUE
Antone's
1990
Réunion de trois superbes chanteuses texanes : Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton. Derrière elles, un orchestre remarquable emmené par Dr John (également producteur) assure parfaitement le tempo (Sarah Brown, Derek O'Brien, George Rains). Marcia s'illustre notamment sur la reprise de Lavelle White "Gonna make it" (avec Angela et Lou Ann) et les irrésistibles "You can if you think you can" et "Something's got a hold on me". Un superbe disque qui vaut l'écoute. Un titre a été ajouté dans la version CD ("Snake dance").
Reunion of three superb Texas singers : Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton. Behind them, a remarkable orchestra led by Dr. John (also producer) ensures perfect tempo (Sarah Brown, Derek O'Brien, George Rains). Marcia is brilliant in particular on the cover of Lavelle White's "Gonna make it" (with Angela and Lou Ann) and the irresistible "You can if you think you can" and "Something's got a hold on me". A beautiful album which is worth listening. A title has been added to the CD version ("Snake dance").
ANTONE'S WOMEN
Antone's
1992
Après la réussite artistique de "Dreams come true", la firme Antone's réunit ses chanteuses dans cette belle anthologie. On trouve deux titres chantés par Marcia Ball : le premier "Something's got a hold on me" est repris du disque "Dreams come true". Par contre, le second "Hurtback" est un inédit.
After the artistic success of "Dreams come true", the Antone's label gathers its singers in this beautiful anthology. There are two songs sung by Marcia Ball : the first "Something's got a hold on me" is taken from the album "Dreams come true". However, the second "Hurtback" is an original.
BLUE HOUSE
Rounder
1994
Sur cet album, Marcia est, bien sûr, présente au piano mais aussi à l'orgue Hammond B3 et à l'accordéon (sur le superbe "St Gabriel"). Une très belle section cuivres (Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Red Rails, Keith Winking, Randy Zimmermann) confère un son soul - rhythm & blues du meilleur aloi ("Red beans", "Big shot", "Facts of life", "If this is love").
On this album, Marcia is, of course, present at the piano but also on Hammond B3 organ and accordion (the beautiful "St Gabriel"). A splendid horn section (Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Red Rails, Keith Winking, Randy Zimmermann) confers a genuine soul - rhythm & blues sound ("Red beans", "Big shot", "Facts of life", "If this is love").
SING IT
Rounder
April - September 1997
Produites par Scott Billington, ces trois magnifiques chanteuses possèdent des voix formidables et complémentaires. Comme d'habitude, le mélange Soul - R&B - Blues permet beaucoup de diversité. Quelques beaux moments : "I want to do everything for you", "Love maker", "Yield not to temptation". D'autres sont néanmoins plus faibles.
Produced by Scott Billington, these three wonderful singers have great and complementary voices. As usual, the mixture Soul - R&B - Blues allows plenty of diversity. Some greats moments : "I want to do everything for you", "Love maker", "Yield not to temptation". Others are however lower.
LET ME PLAY WITH YOUR POODLE
Rounder
1997
Un opus remarquable - probablement un des plus aboutis de Marcia - qui démarre parfaitement avec le sensationnel titre d'ouverture ("Let me play with your poodle") avec cuivres, washboard ainsi qu'un admirable solo de piano. Une fois encore, elle chante impeccablement et joue de son piano (ou wurlitzer) avec beaucoup d'inspiration. La plupart des morceaux sont percutants et originaux : ses compositions personnelles ("The right tool for the job", "The story of my love") comme ses reprises louisianaises ("Something I can't do", "Crawfishin'").
A remarkable album - probably one of Marcia's most achieved - which starts perfectly with the sensational opening track ("Let me play with your poodle") with horns, washboard and a wonderful piano solo. Once again, she sings impeccably and plays the piano (or wurlitzer) with lots of inspiration. Most songs are incisive and original : own personal compositions ("The right tool for the job", "The story of my love") as her Louisiana covers ("Something I can't do", "Crawfishin'").
NOTODDEN BLUES FESTIVAL
Bluestown
August 1998
Une très jolie version de "Louisiana 1927" sur la scène du célèbre festival norvégien de Notodden.
A very nice version of "Louisiana 1927" on stage of the famous norwegian festival in Notodden.
PRESUMED INNOCENT
Alligator
2001
Après une longue collaboration avec Rounder (et plus occasionnellement Antone's), Marcia arrive chez Alligator. Le son se fait plus commercial, plus convenu et affadit quelque peu la spontanéité de sa musique. Néanmoins, on trouve quelques bons moments comme "Louella" ou "Fly on the wall". Plutôt sympathique mais largement inférieur à n'importe quelle production Rounder ou Antone's. On note les apparitions de Doyle Bramhall (co-producteur), Gary Primich, Pat Boyack et Sonny Landreth.
After a long collaboration with Rounder (and occasionally Antone's), Marcia records for Alligator. The sound becomes more commercial, more conventional and fades a little bit the spontaneity of her music. Nevertheless, there are some good moments such as "Louella" or "Fly on the wall". Rather nice but far below any Rounder or Antone's production. Note the apparitions of Doyle Bramhall (co-producer), Gary Primich, Pat Boyack and Sonny Landreth.
SO MANY RIVERS
Alligator
2003
Dans la continuité de "Presumed innocent", il s'agit de son deuxième disque chez Alligator. La production un peu trop lisse est signée Stephen Bruton et - comme d'habitude - des musiciens de premier ordre sont dans le studio. Pourtant, le disque peine à intéresser l'auditeur.
In the continuation of "Presumed innocent", it is her second disc for Alligator. Stephen Bruton signed a little too smooth production and - as usual - first-rate musicians are in the studio. However, the disc hardly interest the listener.
GENUINE HOUSEROCKIN' CHRISTMAS
Alligator
2003
Pour cet album de Noël, Marcia joue un "Christmas fais do do" à l'atmosphère cajun.
For this christmas album, Marcia plays a "Christmas fais do do" with a cajun atmosphere.
LIVE AT WATERLOO RECORDS
Alligator
2004
SING ME BACK HOME : THE NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL CLUB
Sony - BMG
October 2005
LIVE DOWN THE ROAD
Alligator
2005
Enthousiasmante performance scénique de l'élégante pianiste Marcia Ball et de son excellent groupe. Un rythme très dense et une set-list qui donne finalement un bon panorama de la musique de Marcia : "Just kiss me", "That's enough of that stuff", "Down the road", "Crawfishin'" (avec un épatant solo de piano), "No ordinary woman". Chaud et dynamique.
Exciting stage performance of the elegant pianist Marcia Ball and her excellent backing band. A dense rhythm and a set-list which finally gives a good overview of Marcia's music : "Just kiss me", "That's enough of that stuff", "Down the road", "Crawfishin'" (with an amazing piano solo), "No ordinary woman". Warm and dynamic.
JAZZFEST LIVE : THE 2006 COMPILATION ALBUM
Munck Music
2006
GOIN' HOME : A TRIBUTE TO FATS DOMINO
Vanguard
May 2007
Dans cet album hommage à Fats Domino, Marcia chante une belle version de "I just can't get New Orleans off my mind" en duo avec Irma Thomas.
In this tribute album to Fats Domino, Marcia sings a beautiful version of "I just can't get New Orleans off my mind" in duet with Irma Thomas.
JAZZFEST LIVE : THE 2007 COMPILATION ALBUM
Munck Music
2007
PEACE, LOVE & BBQ
Alligator
2008
Toujours chez Alligator avec le producteur Stephen Bruton, des cuivres arrangés par Wardell Quezergue, des participations de Dr John, Ian Mac Lagan, Terrance Simien. Plusieurs morceaux séduisent clairement comme la chanson-titre "Peace love and BBQ", "Miracle in Knoxville", "Down in the neighborhood", "Married life". Un disque agréable.
Always for Alligator with producer Stephen Bruton, horn section arranged by Wardell Quezergue, participations of Dr. John, Ian Mac Lagan, Terrance Simien. Several tracks clearly appealing as the title track "Peace love and BBQ", "Miracle in Knoxville," "Down in the neighborhood", "Married life". An enjoyable album.
ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
Alligator
2011
Dans ce nouvel album, Marcia nous délivre son fameux cocktail texano-louisianais. Le disque est sympathique et équilibré avec de bons morceaux à écouter comme "That's how it goes", "I heard it all", "Mule headed man". Marcia est parfaitement soutenue par ses musiciens (et notamment son fidèle bassiste Don Bennett) et son producteur Gary Nicholson.
In this new album, Marcia delivers her famous Texas-Louisiana cocktail. The disc is nice and balanced with good songs to listen such as "That's how it goes", "I heard it all", "Mule headed man". Marcia is perfectly supported by his band (including his faithful bassist Don Bennett) and his producer Gary Nicholson.
THE TATTOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN
Alligator
2014
Cette fois, c'est le producteur Tom Hambridge qui officie. Marcia - toujours en pleine forme au chant et au piano - est accompagnée de son groupe habituel : Don Bennett, Damien Llanes, Michael Schermer. Il faut aussi saluer l'excellente section cuivres composée de Thad Scott, Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Jimmy Shortell et Randy Zimmermann. Très consistant, l'album abonde en franches réussites avec "The tattoed lady and the alligator man", "Clean my house", "Like there's no tomorrow", "Can't blame nobody but myself" (avec l'harmonica de Delbert Mac Clinton). Certainement son meilleur album depuis "Let me play with your poodle".
This time, it is the producer Tom Hambridge officiating. Marcia - still going strong on both vocals and piano - is accompanied by her regular band : Don Bennett, Damien Llanes, Michael Schermer. We must also acknowledge the excellent horn section composed of Thad Scott, Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, Jimmy Shortell and Randy Zimmermann. Very consistent, this album is full of real achievements with "The tattoed lady and the alligator man", "Clean my house", "Like there's no tomorrow", "Can't blame nobody but myself" (with harmonicist Delbert Mac Clinton). Certainly her best album since "Let me play with your poodle".
SHINE BRIGHT
Alligator
2018
Encore un disque remarquable de la part de Marcia Ball dans son style Rhythm & Blues louisianais toujours plein de verve. Produit par Steve Berlin, l'album compte les participations d'excellents musiciens comme Lee Allen Zeno, Jermaine Prejean, Eric Adcock, Mike Schermer, Don Bennett et a été enregistré entre le Texas et la Louisiane. Le programme est constellé de superbes moments : "Shine bright", "I got to find somebody" (une reprise d'Ernie K-Doe), "They don't make 'em like that", "When the Mardi Gras is over", "Pots and pans", "Too much for me", "Take a little Louisiana".
Another remarkable record from Marcia Ball in her Rhythm & Blues from Louisiana always full of verve. Produced by Steve Berlin, the album includes the participation of excellent musicians like Lee Allen Zeno, Jermaine Prejean, Eric Adcock, Mike Schermer, Don Bennett and have been recorded between Texas and Louisiana. The program is studded with superb moments : "Shine bright", "I got to find somebody" (an Ernie K-Doe's composition), "They don't make 'em like that", "When the Mardi Gras is over", "Pots and pans", "Too much for me", "Take a little Louisiana".