Frank and Bette Cole....
May
2009 —
Where
Y'At CD Review — DeSoto Street Band
DeSoto Street Band
Little King Records
The DeSoto Street Band, which is based in New Orleans and performs blues, roots, and folk music, has just recently released its premiere album. This self-titled album contains twelve eclectic tracks, which range from sounding akin to Hootie & the Blowfish in the song entitled “My Town” to true backyard folk complete with harmonica, kazoo, and washboard. The group consists of all string instruments, which help to create a carefree backwater gypsy-like sound. The band members include: Robert Eustis, who is on mandolin, vocals, and guitar; Steve Wulff, on acoustic guitar, vocals, and harmonica; Laurie Dawes, who is on 12-string guitar, washboard, and kazoo; and Frank Cole, who is on upright bass and vocals. Despite the exotic choice of instruments, each and every member of the band plays them together so naturally that it’d seem wrong for them not to be paired. The sound of the mandolin married with the acoustic guitars brings such a unique flair to each track, which is then additionally brought to life with the exuberant pound of Frank’s standup bass. But the quality that best serves their music is the same thing that makes campfire songs so enjoyable and that is that they focus more so on the lyrics sung which is aimed to tell a story and engage the listener. – Ted Holmberg
"40
Days and 40 Nights" exhibit at the Louisiana
State Archives will open August 9 and run through September.
The opening night, open to the public, will feature theatre, music and literary
readings by participating artists. The performance will be recorded and
become a part of the state's permanent records, along with items from the
exhibit. Desoto Street Band is among the event's line-up of musicians who
have been a part of the New Orleans music traditions for generations. Read
more about it in the Spring 2008 issue of Lousiana Cultural Vistas
or visit leh.org.
