Album Marks 35 Years at the Core of the Roots/Americana Music Scenes for Powerful Singer
“The gale-force winds of her voice… She applies defibrillator paddles to vernacular music… Little about the Brooklyn-born singer is easy to categorize… Given the twists Suter and her band bring to time-honored American music traditions… her music merrily straddles genres.”
–NPR
“Powerful, commanding, and deep soulful voice, rooted in gospel music.”
–All Music
One of the great vocalists in the roots music and Americana scenes with a voice frequently compared to Mavis Staples, Alexis P Suter and her band, were joined by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, The Band’s Garth Hudson on piano and accordion for a special 2011 concert not far from Woodstock, NY, recorded in surround sound and heard in ATMOS. Both artists have deep roots there: Suter has performed at over 100 of Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles while Hudson, of course, moved there in 1967 and made some of the most legendary rock & roll of all time with The Band and with Bob Dylan on The Basement Tapes. Suter’s ninth album, Just Stay Live: Recorded Live at the Falcon by The Alexis P Suter Band featuring Garth Hudson will be released March 17 on NOLA Blue Records, with the label releasing first single “Turn On Your Light” with a video accompanying it today (VIEW/HEAR/SHARE)
Preorder/hear single on other streaming platforms (HEAR/SHARE)
The album kicks off with a version of gospel/blues “John The Revelator” steam-train followed by Hudson’s introduction and one of his epic solo piano improvisations that ties together American music of different strains into something of great beauty. Other album highlights includes Gregg Allman’s “It’s Not My Cross To Bear,” a track she never recorded elsewhere, that finds Suter gut-wrenchingly shouting. Suter delivers a fresh take on Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” “Only I” delivers classic soul music. The uplifting “Turn On Your Love Light,” from the repertoire of Bobby Blue Bland, is given a New Orleans rhythm. And Suter’s spare version of “Isn’t It a Pity,” another song only found performed by Suter on this release, is exquisite.
Throughout, Hudson adds hooks, ideas and melodies, showing why he is one of the all-time greats. He especially digs in on an expressive, at times anxious piano part on “Hole That I’m In.”
Suter’s astute, grooving band knows their roots, from Louisiana polyrhythms to blues swing. The harmonies rise behind her. Joining Suter and the band for “Rise,” “Only I,” and “Turn On Your Love Light” is Conor Kennedy (Steely Dan, Chuck Prophet, Amos Lee).
In between and during songs, Suter preaches movingly about the power of love.
Suter, who splits her time between her native Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley, has also opened for B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Dickey Betts, Etta James, Allen Toussaint, Emmylou Harris, and Helm at NYC’s legendary Beacon Theatre and Central Park Summerstage. King was moved to state “It’s a rare thing to share the stage with great talent like that young lady.”
Suter has been nominated for three Blues Music Awards. After hearing Ruth Brown on the radio as a young child, Suter got her start singing in church.
Alexis P Suter Band Tour Dates
February 13 – Tuckerton, NJ – Lizzie Rose Music Room
April 3 – Milford, CT – The Milford Arts Council
April 4 – Marlboro, NY – The Falcon
April 25 – Chester, NY – Meadow Blues
July 23 – Ridgefield, CT – Ballard Park
October 17 – West Falls, NY – West Falls Center for the Arts
Just Stay Live Track Listing
1. John the Revelator (Blind Willie Johnson)
2. Garth’s Piano Solo (Garth Hudson)
3. Right on Time (V. Bell, J. Bennett)
4. It’s Not My Cross to Bear (Gregg Allman)
5. Whistling in the Dark (V. Bell, J. Bennett)
6. Knocking on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
7. Hole That I’m In (V. Bell, A Suter, R. Grappone)
8. Rise (R. Grappone, A. Suter, V. Bell)
9. Only I (V. Bell)
10. Turn On Your Love Light (Joseph Wade Scott, Don Robey)
11. Isn’t It a Pity (George Harrison)
Just Stay Live Credits
Garth Hudson – Piano, Accordion
Alexis P Suter – Lead Vocals
Jimmy Bennett – Guitar
Ray Grappone – Drums
Peter Bennett – Bass
Vicki Bell – Vocals
Linda Pino – Vocals
Benny Harrison – Keyboard
Connor Kennedy – Additional Guitar – Tracks 8, 9, 10
Produced by Vicki Bell, Peter Bennett and The Alexis P Suter Band
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Alan Douches, West West Side Music
Recorded in surround sound live at The Falcon in Marlboro, NY
