Rootstown
Music
April 2003
The link between Jesse Malin and Denise Marie would be good old George Bush, Jr. They both showed their resentment for their president very openly, nothing new amongst musicians these days. Denise Marie originally from upstate New York, moved via New Mexico to New Orleans. One night I get a call from her from the Crescent City. Could I arrange a gig for her in Belgium. Fortunately we have Toogenblik, and they don't have any reason to complain.
I for myself am always curious about how artists do when they do a gig solo, ie without a band. Apparently, this is no problem for her. She plays remarkably well guitar, very varied and subtle, and her singing is great too. She mentions the fact that she misses her "blues strat" now and then, but without it she's really doing fine as well. She plays songs from her cds 'Open The Door' and 'Blue Tutu', mostly original material, a few covers: Born In The Country - Fury Lewis, Buckets of Rain - Bob Dylan, Taste Your Tears - John Fohl (guitar player with r. John), and the beautiful song You'll Be Satisfied from John Magnie and The Subdudes.
This brings us to New Orleans. She knows a lot of musicians with different musical backgrounds, and it is noticeable in her music: countryblues, jazz, folk, swing, songwriter stuff, slide blues... clever written songs like Spirit Hostage, She Dances Like A Hooker, Open the Door, New Mexico Skies, Walking Through Your Dreams and Motherless Children. Fabulous concert by a great lady. According to her website two concerts still to come, this Sunday at 't Zwemba in Beveren, Monday night closing her European tour in the blues club Maloe Melo in Amsterdam. For a big piece of varied roots music, everybody go and check her out.
-Ben Vanhoegaarden
©2000-2003
Denise Marie and Compulsive Creations