ROOTSTIME.BE

On Live @ The Bevy, Mama's Black Sheep (from Baltimore, Maryland) have found their musical niche writing and singing poppy country and blues-inspired Americana songs.

Singer-songwriters Ashland Miller (guitar) and Laura Cerulli (drums) perform beautiful vocal harmonies through 13 songs on this album. The 70-minute live concert is presented here on both CD and also with video on DVD. The duo is joined by bassist Robin Elder and violinist Helen Hausmann, and also by guest singer/guitarist Christine Havrilla on the song "Drag Me Under."

Five of the 13 songs presented by Mama's Black Sheep are cover versions of songs that are part of the American fabric. "God Gave Me You" is a gospel song by Dave Barnes from his album What We Want, What We Get (2010), and "Landslide" is a classic that was written in 1975 by Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac.

"A Thousand Years" is by Christina Perri, recorded for the soundtrack of the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (2011). "Peace" is from the album The Rockville LP by Mark Roberge, frontman of the US rock band O.A.R. Mama’s Black Sheep also perform a laid back version of “(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay," which every music lover will recognize as an Otis Redding classic.

But the eight original compositions by these women are quite impressive. Our preferred tracks are the folky opening ballad "I Wanna Be Yours," the emotional "Silent Conversations," the ballad "Carry You Home" (supported by violins), and the tasty and swinging “Spoonin’.”

There are two previous albums by Mama’s Black Sheep: Unmarked Highway from 2010 and Drivin’ On from 2011, two albums that managed to escape our musical radar. Perhaps their excellent new album, Live @ The Bevy, will make enough of an impact that these ladies will soon consider taking a chance and come to our region of Europe.

(Valsam)

From Rootstime (Belgium) - Nov 2016