HAVIN THE LAST WORD

Description

Product Description SAFFIRE THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN are the worlds most popular acoustic blues band, fusing a contemporary edge to the independent spirit and raucous, proto-feminist music of legends like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Since their Alligator debut in 1990, they've built a loyal, diverse following that includes fans of women's and alternative lifestyle music, as well as blues, folk and acoustic. Their dedicated fan base has helped place their releases among Alligators Top 50 best-selling titles. HAVIN THE LAST WORD is their first new studio release in eight years and will be accompanied by a three-month nationwide tour that brings their sassy, bawdy live show to audiences across the U.S. HAVIN THE LAST WORD finds Saffire just as uppity as ever, with their most infectious collection yet of passionate, funny, rollickingly soulful blues. With poignant tales of romance won and lost, sidesplitting odes to the female body and stirring affirmations of life, the ladies prove themselves modern day equals of the legends that inspired them. Review A rollicking joyride of infectious blues energy...smart and sexy, soulful and sassy -- Chicago Sun-TimesEven people who don't like the blues can't resist them -- The Washington Post P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); From the Artist "After nearly eight years, it was exciting to get back into the recording studio with my sisters," Gaye Adegbalola recalls. "From song searches to songwriting, we worked really hard. Every song offers something special for the listener." Ann Rabson also "wanted this farewell recording to be special, personal and historic." Andra Faye agrees. "We all put our hearts and souls into every project, but this one is definitely special as it feels like the cap on our `legacy'."The decision to retire the band and go their separate ways was a natural progression. Gaye explains, "All three of us have different needs and different visions. For many years, our visions coincided and Saffire provided a realization of our visions. But, as we have aged and grown, our individual agendas have changed. The love has not changed. The love of the music and each other has not subsided."The success of Saffire has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. "I feel blessed to have been a part of this wonderful, crazy ride. Saffire has been a life-changing experience for me. My view of music and the world has changed, and being a part of Saffire has opened so many doors for us individually," says Andra. Ann has already begun making her plans. "I've had the opportunity to make music and travel with friends for 25 happy years. With Saffire, the group always came first, but after we retire the band I'll be free to selfishly explore the blues. I plan to work solo and with as many different musicians and bands as I can."Gaye, too, is looking forward to her future, but is grateful for the gifts the band has given her. "The band has given me the honor of making a living doing what I love. The band has given me two of the dearest friends ever--bonded by the magic of the music and the harmony of our hearts." About the Artist Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women burst onto the national music scene in 1990 with the release of their self-titled debut album, after six years of playing locally and regionally. With their brazen, no-holds-barred acoustic blues, Saffire took the music world by storm and earned legions of fans of all ages and genders around the globe. The group quickly went from being local favorites to internationally recognized blues stars, sharing stages with Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Willie Dixon, who said of the band, "They knock me out." National media like People, Entertainment Tonight, CNN's Showbiz Today and National Public Radio's Weekend Edition sang the band's praises. With seven critically acclaimed albums, a large, loyal fan base, countless awards, and thousands of sold-out shows under their belts, plus a soon-to-be released documentary, Hot Flash, chronicling their storied history, Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women have achieved success beyond their wildest dreams.With their music Rabson, Adegbalola and Faye reestablish and update the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie. Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashes unforgettable originals, composed with humor and poignancy, alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs.Their debut album, 1990's Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, became one of Alligator's biggest selling releases ever. 1991's Hot Flash, followed by 1992's BroadCasting (with Andra Faye guesting on guitar, fiddle and mandolin after Lewis' departure), took Saffire to even greater heights; Andra's mastery of all things stringed and her country-tinged vocals added a new dimension to Saffire's music. Constant touring and increased radio play earned the group new fans everywhere they went. "Even people who don't like the blues can't resist them," declared The Washington Post, while The New York Times hailed them as "post feminist traditional blues, sung and played with gorgeous abandon."The band's subsequent tour and album, 1994's Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, brought Andra into the band full-time, and their fan base continued to swell. Features in Ms. and other magazines plus an interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air spread the word all across the country. Their subsequent albums, 1996's Cleaning House, 1998's Live & Uppity and 2001's Ain't Gonna Hush! earned the band hordes of new fans and mountains of critical acclaim. And in 2006 Alligator released their "best of" CD, Deluxe Edition. See more