Peace, Love & BBQ

Marcia Ball

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 8, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0014DC0CI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,109 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Austin Chronicle

a class act whose soulful, horn-laden swamp pop and murderous honky-tonk makes her a stellar example of musical artistry

Product Description

Produced by Stephen Bruton, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ finds Marcia Ball at a creative peak, writing or co-writing eight of the thirteen songs on the CD. From deep soul ballads to can't-sit-still party songs to straight-from-the-heart storytelling, the album will delight and inspire Ball's longtime fans and will certainly turn many newcomers into believers. Singing the praises of simple virtues in the funky title track, working the Crescent City strut of "Party Town" or coming to grips with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the deeply moving ballad "Where Do You Go?" Marcia galvanizes this record with soul-touching vocals and her always killer piano playing. With guests Dr. John, Wayne Toups, Tracy Nelson and Terrance Simien lending a hand, the music moves effortlessly through a range of emotions, leaving the listener dancing one minute and deeply moved the next.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Entry in the Canon of a NOLA Legend, April 12, 2008

By	James Morris (Jackson Heights, NY United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Marcia Ball is back with her first studio album in several years, and it is easily one of her strongest efforts since her 1978 debut album, Circuit Queen. Back in 1977, I heard Marcia do a guest turn on a live album by the Texas Playboys. Shortly thereafter, I took a chance on her first record when I found it in an out-of-print bin, almost by accident, and took it home. I was stunned, and have remained hooked on Her Tallness (as she is affectionately known to her fans) ever since. As far as I'm concerned, the fact that Circuit Queen has been out-of-print for thirty years is one of the great shames of the recording industry, and I have been waiting for Capitol Records to re-release it on CD since the digital format was invented. However, trooper that she is, Marcia has moved on, and has continued to evolve as both a singer and a power-house performer of amazing energy and vitality, consistently producing album after album of rollicking honky-tonk, New Orleans second-line soul, contemporary country and a touch of rhythm and blues. Like her musical soul-mates, Tracy Nelson and Irma Thomas, Marcia has proven herself again and again as a dazzling performer with a glorious gift for picking and writing exceptional material. Having seen Marcia perform live a number of times, I am constantly amazed by the high level of energy she exudes on stage, and her bouncy piano and distinctive voice carry over very well to each of her studio efforts, never failing to satisfy. Peace, Love & BBQ is no exception. Marcia's phrasing, delivery and wonderfully spirited piano playing have matured to the point where her tireless, energetic style appears almost effortless. One always gets the feeling, whether in the studio or on a concert stage, that she is enjoying herself tremendously, and her enthusiasm shines through on each new album she releases.

Eight of the thirteen tracks on Peace, Love & BBQ are written or co-written by Marcia Ball. Let's start with one of the most impressive: Where Do You Go, co-written by Marcia Ball and Tracy Nelson, is an emotional, heartfelt and somber tribute to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Alternately dripping anger and sentiment, it packs an emotional wallop that is almost too heartbreaking to bear. Its simple lyrics present a potent indictment of our government's apathy and broken promises, while paying homage to the adaptive resilience and persistent courage of Katrina's forsaken victims. Tracy Nelson, Vicki Carrico and Terry Tucker subtly lend their sympathetic voices to the background chorus, perfectly complimenting this touching and powerful musical statement.

As strong as Where Do You Go is, it's but one of the many winners on what I believe is one of the best albums of Miss Ball's prolific output. Peace, Love & BBQ takes her ability to mix multiple styles in a single release to new heights, moving with ease from cabaret torch (I'll Never Be Free) to rocking Cajun (Married Life) and back again to contemporary blues (Falling Back In Love With You), and Urban soul (Bill Withers' I Wish You Well). She also manages to mix several of these styles in original songs like Right Back In It and Watermelon Time, and shows her best stuff on the sentimental ballad, Riding It Out. I received the CD only days ago, but it has already risen to the top of my current play list, and I expect it to stay there for quite a while. If you know Marcia, what are you waiting for - just get it. If you are unfamiliar with her, I believe it's as fine an introduction to her craft as you will find, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply extraordinary, May 19, 2008

By	bcamarda (Ramsey, NJ) - See all my reviews

One of my greatest pleasures is discovering a new artist whose music powerfully connects with me. Well, Marcia Ball is not a new artist: only new to me. I picked up her album by sheer luck in Waterloo Music on a long-looked-forward-to trip to Austin. It is one of the most amazing CDs I've heard in years. Party Town, Watermelon Time, Married Life, and Right Back In It are pure, unadulterated fun. Falling Back in Love With You is the sexiest piece of music I've heard since Dusty Springfield sang Son of a Preacher Man. There are moments on Ride It Out that could make you cry, and moments on Miracle in Knoxville that summon the ghost of Robert Johnson. There isn't a single dud on this album. I just can't wait to hear her back catalog.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marcia Ball: Peace love & BBQ, May 21, 2008

By	Michigander "JD" (Yakima, WA) - See all my reviews

I found this to be a diverse, but consistently well crafted music CD. Marcia Ball has a great voice, terrific keyboard skills and plays with a talented band of musicians.