AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Marcia Ball

Artist:Marcia Ball

Song:The Party's Still Going On

Album:Roadside Attraction

Singer songwriter and pianist Marcia Ball has been recording since the 80s. I would categorize her music as contemporary blues. She does not record blues standards. And she writes her own songs. And she's an excellent pianist. She's been very successful performing in clubs and on the festival circuit. She was born Mar. 20, 1949 in Orange, TX and she grew up in the Lake Charles suburb of Vinton, LA. Marcia's grandmother and aunt both played piano. She took piano lessons at school. Influenced by Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, Marcia showed an interest in New Orleans style piano. She says that Irma Thomas is her main vocal influence. Marcia studied English at Louisiana State while playing in the band Gum. She was lead singer of Freda and the Firedogs and they recorded an album. And she released the 1978 album Circuit Queen on Capitol Records. This was an attempt at a country album featuring Rodney Crowell and Nashville session musicians like Buddy Emmons on steel guitar and David Briggs on keyboards. Things picked up for Marcia when she signed with Rounder Records for the 1984 album Soulful Dress. Stevie Ray Vaughan played guitar on that album. She recorded for Rounder until 1998 and was nominated for a Grammy for the 1998 album Sing It! featuring Irma Thomas and Tracy Nelson. Marcia has recorded for Alligator Records since 2001. The Party's Still Going On is from the 2011 album Roadside Attraction. Marcia wrote all the songs. She wrote The Party's Still Going On with album producer Gary Nicholson and Tom Hambridge. The album was recorded at Nicholson's studio in Nashville. He won two Grammys for producing Delbert McClinton. Musicians include Mike Schermer on guitar, Don Bennett on bass, Damien Llanes on drums, Wendy Moten on backup vocals, Thad Scott on sax and the Mingo Fishtrap Horns. This album is available on CD. Marcia last released an album in 2018. But she said on Facebook that she is still on Alligator. Look at your watch. It's time for a new album. She still tours so be sure to check her out if she's coming your way. Here's Marcia Ball performing The Party's Still Going On on the internet radio show eTown in Boulder, CO 2013.