Absolute stunning vocal by Erika on this Bessie Smith classic. The band with their usual soulful support. Noone is better at resurrecting these old blues tunes than Tuba Skinny....................................
Many thanks, Mike and Sue. Spencer Williams' 'Mean Blue Spirits' is on Tuba Skinny's CD 'Pyramid Strut'. Also known as 'Blue Spirit Blues', it was recorded by Bessie Smith in 1929. It seems permeated by C minor chords. For those who enjoy a sing-along (some lines are re-worked by Erika): Had a dream last night that I was dead; Had a dream last night that I was dead; Evil spirits were all around my bed. The devil came and he grabbed my hand; The devil came and he grabbed my hand; Took me down to that red hot land. Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Showing their teeth for they was glad I came. "This is hell, " I cried cried with all my might; "This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight. I started running 'cause it is my cup; I started running 'cause it is my cup; I ran so fast 'til someone woke me up. Demons with their eyelids dripping blood; Demons with their eyelids dripping blood; Dragging sinners to their brimstone flood. Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Showing their teeth for they was glad I came. "This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; "This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight. Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight.
How in the world does this band manage to memorise so many tunes and songs and at the same time convey so many different moods? True versatility and skill.
Nice arrangement and nice ensemble performance. I love this group. I love it when the person playing the vocal chords, pharynx, mouth, nasal passages, and paranasal sinuses - is playing this musical instrument same as the other musicians are playing their musical instruments. Sounds so good. God bless Erika Lewis. Does it seems like these wonderful young people, like they all are a little tired here? Their web site shows they have a lot of tour dates at a lot of different places.
After watching this performance several times I must mention Shaye's solo at 2:45 being an example of some beautiful cornet playing. Not to be outdone Craig follows with his own fine solo.........................
Many thanks for filming and sharing here with us this wonderful videos. Blue Mean Spirit is a very popular tune by many fans of Erika and Tuba Skinny. Somehow I prefer more the newest performances this year. On the "Pyramid Strut" album is this recording too. I love this album so much, but I think there it is too dramatically. But it is only my own opinion.
Tuba Skinny, for me the best traditional Band from New Orleans (or from the World??) with the famous lady’s Shay Cohn and Erika Lewis 👏👏🇺🇸🇩🇪
Absolute stunning vocal by Erika on this Bessie Smith classic. The band with their usual soulful support. Noone is better at resurrecting these old blues tunes than Tuba Skinny....................................
Many thanks, Mike and Sue. Spencer Williams' 'Mean Blue Spirits' is on Tuba Skinny's CD 'Pyramid Strut'. Also known as 'Blue Spirit Blues', it was recorded by Bessie Smith in 1929. It seems permeated by C minor chords. For those who enjoy a sing-along (some lines are re-worked by Erika):
Had a dream last night that I was dead; Had a dream last night that I was dead; Evil spirits were all around my bed.
The devil came and he grabbed my hand; The devil came and he grabbed my hand; Took me down to that red hot land.
Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Showing their teeth for they was glad I came.
"This is hell, " I cried cried with all my might; "This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight.
I started running 'cause it is my cup; I started running 'cause it is my cup; I ran so fast 'til someone woke me up.
Demons with their eyelids dripping blood; Demons with their eyelids dripping blood; Dragging sinners to their brimstone flood.
Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames; Showing their teeth for they was glad I came.
"This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; "This is hell, " I cried - cried with all my might; Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight.
Oh, my soul I can't bear the sight.
At 1:35 and again at 4:40 when Erika's voice soars and she smoothly rides the wave over the ensemble playing is spellbinding.............
How in the world does this band manage to memorise so many tunes and songs and at the same time convey so many different moods? True versatility and skill.
Érika , comme on l’aime ! Blues magistralement interprété par Tuba Skinny .
Thanks a lot, mesmerizing - Erika, solos, ensemble performance.
I asked Todd Burdick if they'd play this and I was so happy they did. It was a great performance on a beautiful evening in Vermont!
Nice arrangement and nice ensemble performance. I love this group. I love it when the person playing the vocal chords, pharynx, mouth, nasal passages, and paranasal sinuses - is playing this musical instrument same as the other musicians are playing their musical instruments. Sounds so good. God bless Erika Lewis. Does it seems like these wonderful young people, like they all are a little tired here? Their web site shows they have a lot of tour dates at a lot of different places.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Lindo arranjo!!!Espetacular.
After watching this performance several times I must mention Shaye's solo at 2:45 being an example of some beautiful cornet playing. Not to be outdone Craig follows with his own fine solo.........................
Many thanks for filming and sharing here with us this wonderful videos.
Blue Mean Spirit is a very popular tune by many fans of Erika and Tuba Skinny.
Somehow I prefer more the newest performances this year.
On the "Pyramid Strut" album is this recording too. I love this album so much, but I think there it is too dramatically.
But it is only my own opinion.