Caroline Cotto's First Full Album Bayou Sun is a Bluesy, Soulful Tapestry of Self-Discovery

Fiery blues, rock and soul songstress Caroline Cotto’s first full album is a musical tribute to her quest for her own individual truth. Before landing permanently in her now home of New Orleans, she spent years soaking up experiences while living in New York, Paris and London, walking the same inspirational paths of her artistic influences, writing her own music and poetry, and playing in downtown bars and clubs. Her album Bayou Sun, out now, is Cotto’s own stunning autobiography, with each track divulging crucial weaves that have formed her life tapestry of faith, love, and self-understanding.

Cotto’s track “Young Girl in the City” takes us to the start of her journey which began in New York City, a city Cotto refers to as the first love of her life. “I wanted to capture the rhythm of New York in my song,” she explains. “I see myself vividly walking up and down the avenue with desire in my soul to make a name for myself in the world. I feel the grit of the sidewalk and footsteps of my heroes. I see the young girl with a guitar performing in cafes rambling through the night with love and passion.”

Her success in musically seizing the sound of New York in “Young Girl in the City” is delightfully enchanting, as pounding heart drum beats from Country Hall of Fame drummer Eddie Bayers seem to thrust our senses directly into the routine of Manhattan’s bustling streets and sidewalks. Ronnie Eades’ – the co-founder of the Muscle Shoals Horns Section - saxophone then provides the illusion of scurrying taxi cabs, as Nelson Blanchard’s piano suggests varying conversations and crowded movements. Cotto’s guitar and soulful voice soon lure us in further with the lyrics “Paint my pain into a starry night/I know, the stars ain’t a dime/But dreams are better in moonlight,” reassuring us that any painful learning experiences here have only made her dreams grow clearer and stronger. As she continues on singing “Radio blasts, I’m free at last/All my tears slip through the sidewalk cracks,” we are made confident that music is the outlet that makes her pain disappear, before she leaves us with the hopeful lines “But I’ll find my way/I’ll find my way/I’ll find my way.”

Cotto is also quick to mention that both “Young Girl in the City’s co-producer, David Hyde plays bass on the song, and “Mystery Ride,” another track from her album, were inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run album. “His adventures of rock ‘n’ roll and romance in New Jersey captured my heart” she explains. “I love how Springsteen captures the magic of one night in his music.” Much like “Young Girl in the City”, “Mystery Ride” bursts musically with the excitement of endless possibility and wonder, though this time we are jolted into a shared adventure with someone we love and adore, while Cotto’s lyrics rouse “I see love written on the wind tonight/As we go down and down and down this/Mystery Ride.”
Cotto states that she has a curiosity not only for the capacity of love in the human soul, but also that of suffering. As we head toward the end of the album we hear Caroline Cotto’s solid musical versatility stretched and showcased even further in her track “Awake to Love”, a song that integrates bouncy reggae undertones and saxophone with deeply powerful and provocative lyrics such as “God bless the innocent/They learn from lies/Man throws bombs/In a child’s eyes/Hate grows when one’s asleep/Awake to love on the city streets.” Cotto addresses the heartbreak that innocent people often end up adjusting themselves due to evil, and that those who close their eyes to violence contribute to a growth of hatred. “‘Awake to Love’ is my song for the world,” she explains. “I remember myself in Audubon Park in New Orleans with my pen and paper looking at my reflection in the water and reflecting on the state of the world. ‘Awake to Love’ is my message to the global consciousness that Love is always the answer in any situation, especially in the face of war and destruction.”

Cotto insists that she has learned from her years of travel and through making this album that faith, daydreaming, and love are her greatest powers. “I daydreamed how I wanted my life to be every day until it was. I still have flashes of that young girl with a guitar and suitcase in hand going into the depths of the unknown riding the path into the Bayou Sun.”

Phil Marinucci

Former Niagara Falls artist Phil Marinucci didn’t have far to go while searching for that ’80s sound. Turns out he had a song from the ’80s he has been sitting on for nearly 40 years. His new single “FLY” could be a montage song from any ’80s action movie, but it took a bit of finessing. 

The 54-year-old multimedia/marketing developer gave it some big production and harmony vocals to nail that throwback sound. 

He produced it over two years during the pandemic and added a more “positive message to help those who needed it.” Marinucci, who currently lives in Kawartha Lakes, dabbled in short films 20 years ago but found his footing in multimedia and marketing. He took some time for a Q&A to discuss his nostalgic-sounding rocker.

Keep reading the interview here

Two-Time Grammy-Nominated Blues Legend Eric Bibb’s “Ridin’” Out Featuring Taj Mahal, Jontavious Willis, Russell Malone and Habib Koité

Eric Bibb’s album, Ridin’ was released on March 24, 2023 through Stony Plain Records, the follow-up to his multiple award-winning, critically-acclaimed 2021 album, Dear America, Ridin’ is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant.
 
“As a songwriter, studying African American history has always been a deep well of inspiration. The true stories of my ancestors and their communities are at the heart of many of the songs on my new album - Ridin’. Together with co-writer/producer Glen Scott, we’ve created a concept album focusing on the ongoing task of understanding systemic racism and purging it from our world. For all its seriousness, Ridin’ is a funky, groovy, hopeful collection of songs that feature stellar guest appearances by Taj Mahal, Jontavious Willis, Russell Malone and Habib Koité. At a time when popular political movements are attempting to delete truth from the historical record, I feel called upon to sing songs that contribute to greater understanding and much-needed unity. The making of Ridin’ has been a labor of love. We hope you’ll enjoy the journey.” – Eric Bibb
 
The ethos for Ridin’ was hugely inspired by the oil painting by Eastman Johnson, “A Ride for Liberty (1862),” that depicts an African American family fleeing enslavement in the southern USA during the American Civil War. In Eric’s own words: “Johnson’s painting embodies all the hope, determination and courage that is at the core of the African American experience and needed now throughout the world.” 
 
Ridin' was produced by Glen Scott and features Habib Koité, Taj Mahal, Steve Jordan, Tommy Sims, Harrison Kennedy, Russell Malone and Jontavious Willis, as well as a host of brilliant session musicians and singers from around the globe.
 
A two-time Grammy Award nominee with multiple Blues Foundation awards, Eric Bibb is known and revered globally for having carved his own musical destiny with honesty and power. Eric’s father, the late Leon Bibb, was an activist, actor, and folk singer who marched at Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King. Eric’s youth was spent immersed in the Greenwich Village folk scene. Names like Dylan, Baez, and Seeger were visitors to his home. He was deeply influenced by Odetta, Richie Havens, and Taj Mahal – who guests on Ridin’ - and he has synthesized all of that into his very own style.

Rosetta West

 

 

Rosetta West is an eclectic blues rock band from Chicago.  Their music frequently includes elements of psychedelia and world folk music.  Founder and songwriter Joseph Demagore handles vocals, guitars and occasional keyboards.  Jason X plays bass and keyboards, and Nathan Q. Scratch is the drummer.  Formed in the 1990's, they have released a number of independent albums, plus one release with Alive Records.  They have played countless shows and have a fan base around the world.  "Labyrinth," their latest release, is a magical whirlwind of blues rock folk and psych.

Ottawa, ON’s Soulful, Bluesy Rock Star SHERRI HARDING Knows Who’s The Boss In “Lady Of The House”

Sherri Harding, the soulful, bluesy rock star from Ottawa, Ontario, is thrilled to announce the release of her new single, “Lady Of The House” from her highly anticipated debut album, "A Million Pieces.”
 
A Million Pieces showcases Sherri's extraordinary range of musical styles, featuring memorable and attention-grabbing rock tracks and soulful ballads, and the heartfelt song "Lady of the House" recently hit the airwaves and streaming platforms, beautifully captures Sherri's deep emotional connection to her family and pays tribute to her strong female role models.
 
When discussing the creative process behind the album, Sherri reveals, "During the early days of the 'A Million Pieces' project, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Dick Cooper, renowned songwriter for The Cooper Brothers. We discussed various themes, and I shared stories about my sweet mother and paternal grandmother. Dick returned with the magnificent song 'Lady of the House,' and the moment I heard it, I was moved to tears. That's when I knew we had something truly special."
 
Cooper's significant contribution to the album extends beyond his songwriting prowess. Recognizing Sherri's immense talent, Cooper played a pivotal role in her musical journey by encouraging her to step into the spotlight. In 2016, Sherri had a breakthrough moment when she joined forces with her hometown heroes, The Cooper Brothers, to perform "The Dream Never Dies" alongside them on stage. This experience solidified her potential as a solo artist and laid the foundation for the creation of her debut album, "A Million Pieces." Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooper crafted a collection of songs specifically tailored to Sherri's unique style and heartfelt expression.
 
Sherri’s path to success has been paved with dedication and perseverance. Having paid her dues in the music industry, she spent years performing with various bands across numerous bars and clubs. From entertaining audiences at the Juke Joints in the Northwest Territories to captivating the Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia, Dubai, and Italy, her unwavering commitment to her craft has earned her a well-travelled reputation. Even while juggling late-night gigs with her early-morning government job, Sherri's passion for music has remained strong, propelling her toward this remarkable milestone in her career.