Briefs

Robert Randolph and the Family Band/ EOTO’s Party into Fat Tuesday

Date: February 19; doors at 8 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $20 in advance/$25 the day of the show if available

Lundi Gras’ hottest ticket begins with an exhilarating performance from Robert Randolph and the Family Band. With Randolph’s skillful pedal steel and their funky sound, this group’s performances are second to none.

Randolph honed his pedal stee skills while performing in church in his home state of New Jersey. He built a reputation on the claim he could be black, from the inner city and a musician without having to dedicate his life to the rap industry. When Randolph joined with Marcus Randolph (drums), Danyel Morgan (bass) and Jason Crosby (organ), the Family Band was born. This band caught the ears of Eric Clapton who added them to his tour . Cuts from their new album “Colorblind” really impressed the suits at ABC and NBC with “Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That” and “Thrill of It” being used for ads on both networks.

After Randolph, the night’s still young. As String Cheese Incident slowly dissolves, percussionists Michael Travis and Jason Hann still tour with their electronica show, EOTO. They made a stop at Soul Kitchen a few months back, and those in attendance haven’t stopped talking about their impressive show. If all goes as planned, EOTO will take the Soul Kitchen crowd into Fat Tuesday morning.

Sister Hazel and Peek

Date: February 18, 2007 with doors closing at 8:45 pm

Venue: Le Krewe de Bienville Charity Ball, www.krewe.net

Tickets: $100 per couple, available at WZEW, 1100 E. Dauphin St. or until Feburary 9th online at www.krewe.net

Many of the various Mardi Gras societies in Mobile can be very selective when it comes to who gets invited to their soirees. One association, however, has opened its arms to the entire City of Mobile. Le Krewe de Bienville is a non-profit, civic organization dedicated to promoting Mobile as the one and only birthplace of Mardi Gras in America. Not only does a person attending this ball get to experience quality live entertainment, food and drink, but they also have a chance to give back to the community. Money made from this year’s ball will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

A huge turn-out is expected this year when Nappie Award winners Peek kick things off. Le Krewe de Bienville has gone beyond the call of duty and recruited Sister Hazel as the headliner.

Lately, Sister Hazel has been featured quite a bit on television, appearing on an episode of “Scrubs,” and with a live performance on CNN. They are currently touring in support of their latest album “Absolutely” and will continue crossing the U.S. after the ball.

Galactic with special guests Papa Mali and The Lucky Devil Sideshow Circus

Date: February 16, 2007 with doors at 9 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $20 in advance/$25 day of the show

Galactic is no stranger to Soul Kitchen. These funk masters have become not only a local favorite but also a national sensation. They have the power to bring the crowd to their feet and get them grooving to their eclectic sound. Just in time for Mardi Gras, Galactic has a surprise for the Soul Kitchen audience. Two of the shining stars from The Lucky Devil Sideshow Circus will be performing on stage while Galactic is doing their thing. Tyler Fyre will ignite the stage and the hearts of firebugs in attendance. With appearances on “The Late Show,” Ozzfest and “The Today Show,” Fyre plans on eating spitting and wearing (yes, wearing) an inferno. Joining Fyre will be the lovely Thrill Kill Jill. This burlesque star of the stage is famous for various feats such as dancing inside inflated balloons, which seductively pop to reveal her beauty.

Galactic and their freak fiesta will also be bringing a taste of NoLa’s in the form of Papa Mali. With Papa Mali performing, those in attendance will get a true taste of the smooth jazz sound that made icons such as Louis Armstrong famous. Their long awaited second release “Do Your Thing” is just as good as their live performance.

Musical entertainment during the Mardi Gras season will not be limited to LoDa. The ESho is getting in on the action with several shows to experience as you escape the madness of Downtown Mobile.

The Bluegill will be hopping on Joe Cain Day with a performance from the Andy Smith Band, truly a group with music for all audiences. Playing everything from funk to blues to rock, this band should be the perfect ending to a day filled with Joe Cain revelry. Don’t think the fun at the Bluegill ends on Joe Cain Day. Grayson Capps couldn’t keep away from Mobile during the Mardi Gras season, and he as well as his Stumpknockers are scheduled to play the Bluegill on Lundi Gras, February 19.

The biggest ESho celebration will be at LuLu’s Homeport Marina with their Third Anniversary celebration and their Third Annual Mardi Gras Boat Parade on Fat Tuesday. This will be a chance to get a Wet Willie fix as keyboardist John Anthony is scheduled to kick things off.

Following Anthony will be ESho favorite Eric Lindell, a perfect addition to Alligator Records with a fresh approach. This tattooed, NOLA native is performing in support of his album “Change in the Weather,” a release filled with soulful, acoustic funk that has set him apart in the Crescent City music scene and brought comparisons to artists like Tom Waits. LuLu’s Mardi Gras/Anniversary Celebration kicks off at noon with John Anthony and Eric Lindell takes the stage at 5 pm.

Cell Block has a busy Mardi Gras weekend planned for the underground crowd. It will start on February 16 with a performance from Dash Rip Rock. DRR is making their triumphant return to Mobile and hopes to bring out some of the old school crowd that used to frequent their shows. On February 17, Arabian rap sensations (a la the Internet) Group X will make a pit stop at the Block joined by the Super Nice Bros. and Thruoutingenue. Joe Cain Day will be one big underground hoedown with the Pine Hill Haints (forefathers of Alabama ghost music), The ZydePunks and the Can Kickers.

Highly Kind

Date: February 20, 2007- Early

Venue: Monsoon’s, 9 North Jackson Street, 438-5500

Tickets: $5

Get a dose of “Southern fried hippy funk” on Fat Tuesday with a little help from Highly Kind. The guys in Highly Kind have been jamming for audiences across Alabama for many years now. This band exhibits extreme amounts of talent no matter what songs they are tackling. A statement like that comes as no surprise when you look at the members’ resume’. Kevin Scott has shared the stage with the likes of Mel Torme and has done an extensive amount of studio sessions. Trey Evans is a veteran of Blues Old Stand and the Wayne Mills Band. Come experience a sound that could be the perfect compliment to your Fat Tuesday celebration.

Mem Shannon and the Membership

Date: February 14, 2007 at 8 pm

Venue: The Blues Tavern, 2818 Government Blvd., 479-7621

Tickets: FREE

Use this parade-free night to cozy up to your Valentine with Mem Shannon and the Membership. MSM plans on bringing some straight-up, homegrown blues and funk out of the heart of the Crescent City.

As a young man, Shannon drove a taxi and was a witness to many confessions that inspire his emotional lyrics and guitar style.

Mem Shannon has paid his dues in the blues with performances at the legendary King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival and (of course) the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He has also had the honor of playing the Kennedy Center on many occasions.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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