Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Capt. Al's 21st Century: Part II -- That's Sarah! NOT Jorge Louis, You Ignorant Slut!

[As attentive readers will recall, our old friend (and more important, Friend of PowerPop©) Allan Rosenberg, aka Capt. Al, has been toiling on a series about his fave recent artists for a while now. The first installment of these musical musings, about Feist, appeared here back in July. Now, as promised, here's episode le deuxieme! Take it away, you old sea doggie!!! -- S.S.]

Welcome to the “Best Rock & Roll Music of the 21st Century, Part 2”, by Captain Al.!!!

My good musical buddy Billy Roues (‘The Roues Brothers’, ‘Finn & The Sharks’, ‘The Broadcasters’) coined a wonderful phrase for the 95% of working musicians who never rise to the top of the charts nor reach the level of success they deserve. But these musicians never give less then their best to the music they create and perform for us and of course for themselves.

Billy calls himself and all the others “LUNCHPAIL MUSICIANS”. All of us hardcore music lovers have met, seen and often befriended them. Today’s “Best Rock & Roll Music of 21st Century” is one of my favorite “LUNCHPAIL MUSICIANs” -- Sarah Borges.

Sarah surfaced with the release of her first album Silver City in 2004; in my opinion one of the best debut albums of 2005 (I know, I know -- figure it out yourselves). But, dear reader, don’t think she lucked into the release of that album, or any of her other six albums and EP. She attracts top talent to work with her, like producers Paul Q. Kolderie, Steve Berlin and Eric “Roscoe” Ambel. Ambel, besides producing her three most recent records, is currently the lead guitarist (and featured player) in her touring band.

Sarah may have not have broken through to the commercial success she deserves, but she clearly has a lot of support -- and she’s earned it. She is constantly on the road (including tours of Europe) and her live act is tops and often joyful! Now that is “LUNCHPAIL MUSICIANSHIP” of the highest level.

Here’s a few of her top songs/videos.

First, a classic from her debut album: "Daniel Lee." The video was shot at Sun Studios.

From her recent album Love’s Middle Name, the music video of “House on a Hill”

And the aforementioned current touring band featuring Eric Ambel doing "Wouldn't Know You," from her current album Together Alone.

Sarah is as solid as any rock-and-roller out on the road today. She's going to be up here in Albany in September, and I can’t wait to see her and the band -- “Lunchpail” and all!

I gotta admit, I was not all that familiar with Borges, but that stuff is primo, Captain! Thanks for the heads up, pal, and I'm looking forward to episode three next week!!!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to see Sarah getting some notice on this fine blog. She's wonderful. Her rousing version of Stop & Think It Over is just about my favorite thing ever.

https://youtu.be/IkFxxfK8gBc?si=nUS1gSy0jnMgsN3L

Finchy

steve simels said...

Ooh — gotta check that one out!

steve simels said...

Apparently there's some problem with this new format.

E-mail me if you can't post and we'll try to figure it out.

Guypinot said...

Amen for "Stop And Think It Over"!

Anonymous said...

From Boston to Memphis to Grand Rapids to Nashville to Austin to Taos .... she needs to take that lunchpail to SoCal.

VR