Tha third and final album made by Jan Bell and Melissa Carper as The Maybelles, with Katy Cox on fiddle.
Leavin' Town is a dynamic, energetic, hauntingly beautiful, humorous, old time roots album....a lovely collection by a talented trio! - Sing Out! Spring,2008.
Of all the albums The Be Good Tanyas gave me, my favorite is The Maybelles. They sound like country greats from the 1930's. - Charlie Gillett, BBC Radio London.
The Maybelles are in my Top Ten Artists for Magnet Magazine 'Leavin' Town' is gorgeous. - Jolie Holland.
The Maybelles are a triumph for equal opportunity blue grassers – and never once sink into mere bluegrass reverence! - Mikael Wood, Village Voice 2006 (Feature on Nickel Creek, The Duhks & The Maybelles)
The Maybelles version of my song 'Lonesome Blues' is beautiful - Samantha Parton (The Be Good Tanyas)
Captures the Appalachian Spirit with startling precision....freshness bordering on wonder. - Jerome Clark, Rambles.net
TOP 12 DIY Good old fashioned fun! - Performing Songwriter. 2006
TOP 10 New Orleans City Life Annual Music Issue. 2005
An EXPERT BAND! Celtic tinged, Appalachian influenced repertoire puts their album 'White Trash Jenny' in my Top Ten Folk Albums 2005 -
Chuck Eddy, Critic's Choice, Village Voice. Senior Editor Billboard (previously Senior Editor Village Voice)
Cock-eyed old-timey tunes! What a hoot! - Time Out NY. 2005
They've got it all! - Mike Shirkey, KUAF, Arkansas.
Musical genius in mutual motion! - Ozark Folk Festival Magazine.
The Maybelles are all singers, songwriters and composers:
Jan Bell (Guitar, Harmonica); Melissa Carper (Upright Bass), Katy Rose Cox (Fiddle)
The Maybelles first took the stage together when Nebraska native Melissa Carper met Yorkshire born Jan Bell, on the streets of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They soon took their songs up to the Walnut Valley Folk Festival, Winfield Kansas. There they met up with Mike West, who invited them to come down to his ninth ward pickin' parlor – and record an album in New Orleans. Their first collaboration was a Celtic/Appalachian collection of originals and traditionals called 'Songs for My Baby'.
That summer, they went up to play Jan's old neighborhood, in NYC, where they teamed up with fiery fiddler Katy Rose Cox. Down by the Brooklyn Bridge the Urban Cowgirl Cabaret featured country bands on the back of a '64 Ford pick up truck – playing tribute shows to their honky tonk heroes – Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash... . The maybelles were now a three part harmony trio, playing high energy originals alongside rare pearls, old time country, and soulful folk classics.
In winter, The Maybelles went south again to play the streets and clubs of New Orleans; and recorded 'White Trash Jenny' at Mike West's Ninth Ward Pickin' Parlor.
The Maybelles have had the honor of opening for several living legends. In Eureka Springs, they opened for Emmylou Harris; and joined Mary Fly when she opened for Ray Charles and his Orchestra. Back up in New York City they opened for Wanda Jackson.
This Fall they kicked off The 60th Annual Ozark Folk Festival, playing the Pre-Show for Odetta.
'Leavin' Town' was Produced by David Singleton. Special guest, Arkansas Red sits in on banjo and dobro.
Jan Bell (Guitar, Harmonica, vocals) hails from coal mining country in Yorkshire, England, trained in English Literature, Theater, writing and radio. She came to NYC as a student teacher and fell in love with the folk festival realm.
Jan is an award winning songwriter, earning first place in New Orleans city wide contest 2005, and New Jersey Folk Festival 2007. The Independent Music Awards 2008 have selected her Brooklyn based band 'Jan Bell and the cheap dates' as a finalist for Alternative Country Album of the year.
The album 'Songs for Love Drunk Sinners' earned her a 4 Star Review and Critics Choice at NXNE 2007:
When the Be Good Tanya's first started out, the sound they were aiming for was probably something like this...Wonderful, chiller, thriller of an album. Tim Perlich, NOW Toronto..
A mighty fine album. Simple, well sung songs, the way it should be. Americana UK.
Jan Bell is one of my favorite living singer songwriters. Soulful, beautiful.” Jolie Holland.
Melissa Carper (Upright Bass and vocals) grew up in Kansas and by 8 years old was playing upright bass and singing country and gospel in the Carper Family Band. As a member of the Camp Town Ladies she reached the finals of Prairie Home Companion's Towns Under 2000 Show at The Town Hall in NYC (2001). Melissa was nominated TWICE in Just Plain Folks BEST BLUEGRASS SONG category 2006 for Twin Cousins and The Maybelles album title track White Trash Jenny. At the Woody Guthrie Festival, the Oklahoma press made the oft received comparison to Gillian Welch.
Based in Eureka Springs, North West Arkansas, Melissa has played at the city auditorium in local bands opening for Ray Charles and his Orchestra, Doc Watson and many others - as the busiest bassist in town!
Katy Rose Cox (Fiddle and vocals) A Native Texan, Katy Rose began her musical career as a 4 yr old devoted classical violinist. Ironically, it wasn't until she grew up and moved to Brooklyn, NY that she discovered her 'true' southern fiddle nature. In the depths of the west village at The Baggott Inn, she met fellow bluegrass musicians who helped her explore other music forms such as old time, Celtic, swing and gypsy. She hasn't looked back! In 2006 after 13 years away, Katy returned to her hometown Austin, TX.
Katy is best known for her passionate fiery breaks, her elegant approach to melody and her thoughtful precise delivery. She has toured all over the United States performing in venues from CBGBs to Carnegie Hall. She has shared the stage with Vassar Clements, Gordon Stone, Rosie Flores, Wayne Hancock, Greg Garing, and Dale Watson.
www.TheMaybellesMusic.com
www.myspace.com/themaybelles
Booking
littleredhenmusic@yahoo.com
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