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June 2013 issue "The Noise"
Recording the live CD Fortune Cookie Sculler's Jazz Club, Boston, MA 5/2/13

June 2013 issue "The Noise" online at http://thenoise-boston.com/

MICHELLE WILLSON

Recording the live CD Fortune Cookie
Sculler's Jazz Club, Boston, MA
5/2/13

How cool is the vibe in this room tonight? Chilling. And how ironic is this? Evil Gal is one of the best R&B singers around.

How good? Red HOT. Tonight's electric performance showcases how talented this woman and her band are. All of the music is tinged with jazz. Where else can you hear stunning versions of Dinah Washington's "Salty Pops," "A Stranger On Earth," and a killer "Blowtop"? And I mean killer. Scott Shetler is on horns, clarinet and mandolin on Spooner Oldham's "Life Rolls On." Mike Mele is on hollow body guitar, Shinichi Otsu on piano (reading charts!), Sven Larson on fretless bass,

and Zac Casher pounding back Michelle flawlessly through Ruth Brown covers of "I Would If Only I Could" and "Fat Daddy." I really dig "Willow Weep For Me" from a Marx Brothers movie "Love Happy," and the Ray Charles cover of "Hallelujah." Michelle announces, "This is the first song I've written in 10 years" before the band jumps into the title track . Her voice is very emotional and is at its best when it's sultry and powerful. Blues DJ Holly Harris announces the recorded performance and scribe Steve Morse is also in the audience preparing to write the liner notes for the new CD. A great night with a great band. I can't wait to hear tonight's performance again and again when Fortune Cookie is out and gets to meet my CD player.

(A.J. Wachtel)
‘Evil Gal’ Michelle Willson Sings Her Heart Out
May 28, 2014 - Suze Reviews the Blues online

May 28, 2014 - Suze Reviews the Blues online

This show at Glenn’s Restaurant was my first opportunity to see Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson and her band perform since the fabulous Scullers show that was recorded for subsequent release as ‘Fortune Cookie’.

Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson

Michelle has a powerhouse of a voice that is extremely well-suited to jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues songs.

Evil Gal

I first heard Michelle sing about twenty years ago in the parks of Boston, and was immediately smitten with her voice. Regrettably, I let her drop off my radar but was delighted to discover that she is still performing.

Evil Gal

Michelle did not have all members of her usual band at this show, but I thought everyone was a terrific musician; they sounded as if they play together regularly. Mike Mele on guitar, Zac Casher on drums, Mark Earley on saxophones, and Marc Hickox on bass comprised the band.

Zac Casher

Mike Mele

Marc Hickox

Mark Earley

Songs from Ruth Brown, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles were on the set list. Some of the songs allowed Michelle to belt out the words, while in others her voice was softly sensuous.

Evil Gal belting out the lyrics

Evil Gal in a more subtle moment

One of the things I most enjoy about Michelle’s performances is how much she loves performing. Her exuberance is infectious.

Evil Gal

One cannot help but smile – and sing – along with Michelle.

Michelle

Michelle is a force of nature; I would like to see her again (and again) in clubs that are more suited to her style. At a restaurant, people talk over her singing and there is general noise from the dinner service.

Michelle with Mike, Zac and Marc

Go see Michelle at a show and pick up a copy of ‘Fortune Cookie’; I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Michelle

You can catch members of the band with Michelle as well as with other projects; Mark Earley, for instance, is a member of Roomful of Blues.

Zac

Mike

Mark

My only complaint is that my friend and I were told we had to vacate our table (for one in a back room) to accommodate a larger party coming in mid-way through the show. The restaurant knew we were there for the music and the request/demand was unacceptable. Because we complained, we were not relocated.

Otherwise, it was another night of wonderful music – it was the perfect way to cap off a holiday weekend!

Audio

Purchase CD's

Evil Gal Blues

Michelle's first recording for Rounder Records, produced by Ron Levy; featuring Sugar Ray Norcia and Harry Piano Man Van Walls.
So Emotional

This is the album with "Long John Blues" - the dentist song!

Michelle Willson gets so emotional on a set of tasteful selections featuring some stunning originals and well chosen classics perfectly suited to her jump blues, swing and torchy blues/jazz deliveries. Featuring another duet with Sugar Ray Norcia and guest cameos by Greg Piccolo, producer Ron Levy and Ronnie Earl.
Tryin to Make a Little Love

With a superb band of New Orleans and New England musicians and featuring original material by two of America's greatest songwriting teams, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham and Doc Pomus & Mac Rebennack ( Dr. John ), Michelle makes these songs come alive with feeling, exquisite interpretation and breathtaking vocal technique.

Recorded in New Orleans and produced by Scott Billington, who has worked with so many great voices, including Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams and Ruth Brown.
Wake Up Call

Michelle Willson's jazz inflected blues music matches an unforgettably great voice with an ability to swing like mad, and just the right attitude to tell these stories of hard-won love, loss and triumph.

The Evil Gal Festival Orchestra, with Ken Clark on Hammond B-3 organ, Scott Shetler on saxophones, Mike Mele on guitar and Zac Casher on drums, delivers real deal blues and slippery funk grooves with equal aplomb, making music that is inventive, powerful and always fun. Produced by Scott Billington, recorded at Q Division Studio in Somerville, MA, this recording won a Boston Music Award for best blues album.