Why: Allow me to take you back to a time when soul ruled the dance floor. Clubs and bars were packed with smoke, women covered dance floors in Jackie Kennedy dresses and beehives, blues musicians ruled, and funk was emerging with a busy horn section. Lead by guitarist and singer Black Joe Lewis and backed by his band The Honeybears, this Austin based 1960s retro soul band is starting to steal the scene. They began in 2007, after Lewis picked up a guitar while working in a pawn shop and have now been labeled by Esquire Magazine as one of the “Ten Bands Set to Break Out at 2009’s SXSW Festival.”
Drawing from blues roots, modern R&B, extensive vamping and vintage “call and response” solos and chorus, this band must make the “The Godfather of Soul” proud. Obvious sounds emote the inspiration from Howlin Wolf, Wilson Pickett, Bo Diddly and even smooth crooners like Sam Cooke. You’ll be surprised they have no blood relation to these founders of soul music, I kept looking in liner notes for some famous recognition, yet something inside of this band convinces me the founders of soul embody Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and are praising them from up high. This weekend they gear up for Lollapalooza surrounded by the newest chart topping acts. Although they may be considered a little green, it will not come as a surprise if they are hailed for an encore after their performance. If you are at Lollapalooza, be sure to catch their set and tell us about it!
For Fans of: Soul food, reliving your mom's childhood, soul glory days, dancing the mashed potato
Add this Song to Your Mixtape: “Sugarfoot” from Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is
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