Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade
"Live on the Road"
Self Released
myspace.com/misstessmusic

   

AUGUSTA, GA - From the moment “Stormy Baby” opens Live on the Road by Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade, it’s hard not to imagine oneself sitting on a porch lost in the shade of a willow tree somewhere deep in the south, perhaps sipping sweet tea and rubbing an old dog between the ears. Miss Tess just brings that out in her music. 

The funny thing about Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade is that she’s from Boston. Still, the dynamic songstress brings out something primal in her music. Containing 13 soulful, bluesy folk tracks recorded live up and down the East Coast, "Live on the Road" channels the spirit of the old time speakeasy but mixes it with a hundred other styles. Often soft yet still forceful, this six-piece based around the lovely, awesomely retro and upbeat voice of Miss Tess delves into all the musical dishes of times past. 

But, don’t think of this band as something dredged up from dusty old records. No, Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade show that while the classics are alive and kicking, there’s still room for injecting a little modern jazz, folk, spoken word and blues.  Sometimes, with the attitude and the frenzied horns, Miss Tess and the gang remind a little of a sweeter voiced Tom Waits.

The edge of “Streetcorner” and the deep bluesy horns on “Pokey McMumbles” give credit to the claim that Miss Tess plays a style called ‘Modern Vintage.’ The traditional sound of “Can’t Sleep” goes along so well with “I’m on Top of the World.” And these are just a few of the amazing tracks on this album.

After garnering critical praise from the Boston Music Awards for “outstanding folk artist of the year,” as well as winning the 27th Biannual Open Mic Shootout, and snagging a spot with Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett on the Cayamo cruise, Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade are currently on tour in support of their live album.

Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade will be at Stillwater Tap Room on Friday, March 6.