Tennessee Blues

Home

  Beth’s most recent project I’m That Way is a collection of songs written by Louisiana songsmith Bobby Charles, best known for his hits “See You Later Alligator” and “ Walking to New Orleans.” His recent death marked a significant loss to American music. Bobby’s honest, no-frills style of song-writing will always be an inspiration to Beth and many others. She was honored to sing with him on a track of his last album Timeless which was released in Feb. 2010. Recording has begun for her next release, expected in early 2011.

Beth McKee, I’m That Way, (BMR)
One of the great American songwriters is Louisiana’s Bobby Charles. His first hit was “See You Later Alligator” in the ‘50s, and he then went on to write “Walking to New Orleans,” “But I Do,” “Tennessee Blues” and a footlocker full of others. In certain circles, just mentioning his name causes the pros to smile and shake their heads. Singer Beth McKee decided to do a whole album of Charles’ chestnuts, and she should be given her own annual crawfish boil in Lafayette for those fine efforts. There is such an easeful joy in all these songs, even the sad ones, it feels like the sun, the moon and the herbs all lined up in McKee’s favor. With a kicking band and voice to call down the stars, Bobby Charles’ originals might have met their match here and shown why Bob Dylan wrote the liner notes on his last album. For real.

Bill Bentley-  mydailyfind.com

Last Train to Memphis

. . . if you haven’t seen this band yet, do it.

McKee and the band flexed more muscle in the first of two sets, with I’m That Way songs offering welcome room for saxophonist Charlie DeChant to elevate the material with his inspired tenor and baritone solos. A new song, the lovely “New Orleans to Jackson,” put the saxophonist in the spotlight with breathtaking results against only McKee’s voice and piano.

On the rowdier end of the spectrum, guitarists Tim Kelliher and Tommy Calton went all Chuck Berry on “Last Train to Memphis” and “House of Blue Lights,” and the band pumped caffeine into . .  “Don’t Cross That Bridge,” a frisky song that goes back to McKee’s days with the New Orleans outfit Evangeline.

. . . .and McKee closed the night with some New Orleans-flavored double-time dance tunes.

Clearly, this isn’t a band content to do the same old thing. Yet another reason to go see them again next time.

Jim Abbott- Orlando Sentinel

Featured tracks from I’m That Way