Customer Reviews

Ollabelle

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The elements of gospel, folk, and country music are all present in Ollabelle's debut CD. It's their original mix of these elements that makes this disc so instantly appealing. Named after country singer Ola Belle Reed, the band has Amy Helm, daughter of the Band's Levon Helm, and Australian Fiona McBain doing lead vocals on my favorite track "Elijah Rock." The traditional tune takes on a smoky slinky power with Jimi Zhivago's tasty electric lead guitar stinging periodically.

My other favorite is the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards penned song "I Am Waiting" that the Rolling Stones did on their 1966 "Aftermath" LP. It was on one of the first albums I ever bought, "...I Can Remember Everything," a 1968 set on Parrot by Jennifer Warnes when she was still only billed as "Jennifer." Almost 40 years later, it now sounds like a haunting anthem.

Some of their other selections also have a bit of history to them. "Jesus On the Mainline" first reached my ears via Ry Cooder's 1974 "Paradise & Lunch" LP. A couple other versions by the Alabama State Troopers, a Don Nix project, in 1972 and Anders Osborne's "Live at Tipitina's" set have been good. Ollabelle's version with Glenn Patscha on lead vocals gets an impassioned gospel feel, probably the most moving version I've heard.

"John the Revelator" is a layered mix as if we're viewing John trying to decipher the messages of Revelations through Ollabelle's dense guitars. The other recordings I have of this [Leroy Parnell & the Fairfield 4, Roger McGuinn ("Treasures from the Folk Den" 2001) and John Mellencamp (Truth No More 2003)] show that Ollabelle have a unique approach to their material.

"Soul of a Man" is another passionate jewel with Amy Helm's lead vocals and Levon Helm's drums giving a stately march-like quality. Maria Muldaur also did this on her wonderful traditional set "Richland Woman Blues."

Ollabelle originals fit seamlessly into the set such as the powerful "Get Back Temptation," "Through the valley I have walked for a thousand thousand days." This is a gloriously original set you will not want to miss! Bravo!

A rather breathtaking recording this is, mostly spirituals traditional and modern, performed by young singers who sound much older than their years and set to tasteful, lean, but unmistakably modern musical settings. If this doesn't move you to your toenails, you may already be dead.

In a broad sense Ollabelle's sensibility is something like what Ry Cooder's was in the 1970s, when he was reimagining and reinventing American roots music. And I say that not just because Cooder also covered "Jesus on the Mainline." If you miss that sort of approach -- I know I do -- you will love what's going on here. But then I'm sure you will love it even if all you know about Cooder is that he went to Cuba a few years ago to record some old guys.

Ollabelle is a branch of the true vine. The wine is fine as fine can be.

I bought the CD after hearing the piece on NPR about the group and that Amy Helm was the daughter of Levon Helm. The music of The Band and Levon's voice, understanding, and regard for the heart of what is true music was something that sustained me throughout my younger years and something I long for as I get older. Sadly, there has been nothing like it since and I doubt there ever will. But listen to Amy's voice on this CD. Listen to the way this group of artists (all who could probably be successful as individuals) work together to make you believe the song and you will be rewarded. When a group of talented, sincere artists are able to not only work together but also bring out something more from the other, a little bit of magic is created. I don't catorgorize music like "rock", "folk", "gospel". I listen for honesty, soul, and something that probably has no name but will make me stop what I'm doing and pay attention. It's a rare thing these days. Listen to "Two Steps" and you'll know what I mean.

I've seen Ollabelle twice in concert now, and am thinking that they are one of the most exciting new groups around. They have great vocal talent, and are doing wonderful arrangements on these mostly gospel tunes. I'd never classify this as "Christian" music, but it is deeply spiritual, honest, rooted. "Soul of a Man" is unforgettable; "All is Well" is amazingly comforting. The audiences I've been in have been entranced and riveted by their performance. Try to see these kids (they seem so young to me) if you can. I had a chance to talk to them last night and found them to be earnest and thoughtful musicians.

Ollabelle is a New York sextet that takes the American roots music that made a comeback on O Brother, Where Art Thou (in fact the album is released on T-Bone Burnett's DMZ label) and mixes in blues, gospel and soul. The album is mostly made up of traditional songs with a religious vein like "Soul Of A Man", "John The Revelator", "Jesus On The Mainline" & "Elijah Rock", but there are some interesting covers like The Rolling Stones' "I Am Waiting" from their Aftermath album, The Carter Family's "The Storms Are On The Ocean" & Andrae Crouch's "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" as well as a couple original tracks. The songs are sung in an alternating male/female style that follows the traditional roots stylings, but the songs never seem too retro. The band adds just the right amount of moderness to the tracks without losing the classic foundation.

The 6 members of Ollabelle are based in New York City, 2004. But their music sounds straight out of the churches, plantations, and backwoods of rural America circa...well, let's just say, not only before these young artists were born but even before we were. Half the songs here are labeled "Traditional" which, we believe, makes them, at least, 75 years old. The other half just sound like it, including the 3 remarkably authentic sounding spirituals written by members of the band. And speaking of "the band", this one is lucky enough to have 3 soulful and talented singers of which the most soulful and talented is Amy Helm, none other than the daughter of Levon, the amazing singer and drummer of (the seminal and capitalized) The Band. Now, although Ollabelle's vocals do not carry quite (pardon us) "the weight" as those haunting vocals of The Band's Danko, Manuel, and the senior Helm, they are, nonetheless, powerful, gripping and beautiful in their own rite, and their harmonies much less jagged. Their voices are enhanced by the superb musicianship, particularly the rollicking Wurlitzer organ of Glen Patscha and the roiling guitar of the coolly-named Jimi Zhivago (resulting in, perhaps, a new genre, "Rollick and Roil"). Amy's daddy Levon makes a guest appearance on a couple of tracks and, though his voice has been quieted by cancer, his drumming drives his young charges. On the rest of the cd, despite their relative youth, they seem perfectly capable of driving themselves.
PS. We also recommend that you check out Amy Helm's propulsive duet with Kenny White on his stunning, soon-to-be-released album "Symphony in 16 Bars".

I was wandering around the "record" store and saw this album by one of the listening stations. I recognized the group name because it had opened for The Flatlanders at The Birchmere (which I now regret not getting off my butt - can I say that? - to see). Anyhow, by the end of the first cut I was hooked. I love this CD! Kind of feels like the first time I heard "Music from Big Pink," or Dylan's "John Wesley Harding," or "Into the Purple Valley," or Lucinda Williams eponymous album, or Dave Alvin's "King of California," or any number of Richard Thompson recordings (you see where I'm going). Not that this music is exactly like any of those. My point is that this is ear-opening and heart-opening work. It is exciting, intelligent, inventive, soulful music. It pays homage and takes risks, it is a little ragged, but oh so right. The harmonies are exquisite. It reveals new layers on each listening. "All is Well" just blew me away. I wasn't too sure about "John the Revelator," but then I said to myself "well if Son House had gotten together with Laurie Andersen..." I could babble on, but I won't. Give a listen. And thanks, Ollabelle, for bringing some joy to an old man's soul.

So, there I was, stumbling around the vast internet library of music and I stumble upon Ollabelle.

Whoa. Whooooooa.

This is one of those albums that revises the notion of what music is. What 'Oh Brother' did for bluegrass, what 'Nora Jones' did for piano, 'Ollabelle' will do to gospel.

Yes, it's that good. If you've never thought of yourself as a gospel fan, you will be after this. Spend the money. You won't regret it. I'm about to make 10 copies to give to my friends. (Shhhh...you didn't hear that.) Pass the word, Ollabelle is here and I hope they're here to stay.

Can I get an Amen from the crowd?

T-Bone Burnett, the man who brought us the music from "O Brother Where Art Thou, " turns us on to his latest discovery. We don't know much about Ollabelle, but we were mighty surprised to discover - after succumbing to the irresistible blend of roots, gospel and blues - that it was pouring out from the souls of six white folk. Four men, two women, all powerful. This isn't your average CD. It's like going to a really cool church with a rockin' house band. Only when they pass the plate, you get to take the money OUT.

This cd is the perfect collection of songs for those drawn to slide guitar and dobro. It would be great for those interested in a gospel theme without sounding like gospel music, if that makes sense. If you like the blues, if you like great harmonies, interesting acoustic work and songs that sound about a hundred years old from the South, give this a try. There are at least 3 lead vocalists in this group - good variety or better - diversity of sound. They are fabulous on stage - a real tribute to their talent. I'm waiting for their next release.