Blue Mother Tupelo: BMT Reviews

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO AT DOGWOOD
Sunday Afternoon Concert in the Park-- 2:00 P.M. Blue Mother Tupelo launched into a foot tappin' growl. The music had plenty, plenty punch-ola, but yet had a timeless genre that took one back to where music wasn't all about electronics or synths--it was pure-d-genuine.Let no one kid you, this group is great--heart and soul....I suggest you watch the vid to get a taste, however, it does lose something in the electronic transfer... that "je ne sais quoi" that smacked you like a wall at the live concert.

BIG LOVE
You’d figure that having been married since the early 1990s and playing scores of dates each year, Ricky and Micol Davis have seen a lot of each other. But when they finished their high energy set at Music City Roots last night (getting the standing-est ovations of the night by the way), and they came over to the chat room, they scrunched up together and Ricky put his arm around Micol and it was so cute I had to describe this for the radio audience. I’d heard their duo/band Blue Mother Tupelo before and loved it in that Delbert McClinton roadhouse kind of way. But it was really special to connect with them as people and see first hand their dedication to the music and to each other.

So there was much love in the house, as the show returned for a new season on a perfect evening at the Loveless Barn. Jill Andrews was all aglow, both because she’s a new mom and a new solo act (her former band the everybodyfields has been adored for five years) and because her music just brims with warmth and beauty. Her voice reminded me of Sally Ellyson of Hem and another backstager of Mindy Smith. Her writing is really strong, and the tense, haunted harmonies of her final song “Sound of the Bells” were captivating. Pretty amazing for a young woman who only picked up the guitar and discovered roots music a few years ago.

And then from new mom love to Big Daddy Love, our Vietti emerging artist of the night. This five-piece from the Ashville area raised the energy level with big locomotive beats and aggressive but not abrasive vocals from Daniel Smith and edgy picking from the electric banjo of Brian Swenk. They were a hard act to follow, as they say, but Blue Mother Tupelo took the challenge. Their song “Tupelo” from their new album Heaven & Earth was a great split-part duet that really showcased Micol’s pipes. And the raving “Give It Away” with its huge groove on Ricky’s National bottleneck guitar was the major cause of the standing, whooping and hollering that highlighted their set.

It’s pretty clear that our final act Kingbilly has a lot of love for each other too, love of the brotherly kind, because they’ve been a band, and a darn good one, for six years, living always at the edge of a breakthrough or a deal, rolling with those punches only the music industry can deliver. I so hoped they were going to tell us their debut album was done and on sale at the merch table, but while it is done, it’s not found a home. Hello? Indie labels? These guys have a bass player with dreadlocks, a movie-star handsome lead singer and they play hundreds of hot, high-energy dates a year. “Damn This River” was driving. “Come Back As Her Beer” was funny and twangy. “Surrender” was anthemic. And they built to a ten minute super jam in which Josh Methenys’ lap steel went guitaro-a-guitaro with John Osborne’s Telecaster. They ripped it up.

Such was the night. We’re ready for about ten more like that before the coming of summer and we have to close the windows again. And speaking of loving musical couples, 18 South returns next week!

Craig H

Up & Coming New Nashville- Blue Mother Tupelo (With Exclusive Interview)
Interviewed by Ken Morton, Jr.

“The 14 songs are brimming with delta soul and Appalachian energy. Tupelo and Always Lookin’ are back-and-forth duets that fall somewhere in the space between Johnny & June and an uncontrived version of Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock.”—Uncommon Music

Not a bad comparison in either case.

Ricky and Micol Davis, shortly after marrying in 1994, began their musical life together at an open mic night at Sassy Ann's in Knoxville, which proved to be the beginning of something very special. After releasing their debut album, My Side Of The Road, in 1997, they moved to Nashville in 1998. Vanguard recording artist Mindy Smith, who had just moved from Knoxville to Nashville a few months earlier, encouraged Ricky and Micol to move to Music City. The four-piece band continued to perform throughout Tennessee, western North Carolina, and Georgia in clubs and opened concerts for Delbert McClinton, Grand Funk Railroad, and Pat Travers. In between the 4-piece combo shows, the Davis duo performed at open-mike nights and songwriters’ rounds in The Music City. A change in musical direction led to regrouping, and Ricky & Micol set out on their own again.

It's been said that a BMT performance is like stepping into a "pentecostal revival" -- with Ricky and Micol's gritty, sweet, soulful harmonies, earthy sounds of gutbucket guitar and slide, gospel piano & roadhouse pounding of tambourines. But the foundation to all of their work is to channel what is innately deep within them and to let it come forth naturally without definitions or restrictions. In May 2009, Blue Mother Tupelo released their third studio CD called, "Heaven & Earth". "Heaven & Earth" is an album that's honest & earthy, soul-stirring & foot-stompin', celebratory songs of love, faith, friendship, wandering, longing and beauty - southern soul, hill country blues.



That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place? >> We both (Ricky and myself) have an innate love of music - it’s gotta be something that we were both born with because we pretty much can’t help ourselves when it comes to making music and loving it. Ricky grew up in a family of guitar pickers and with a Dad who writes songs, passing the time on the long & lonesome highways during his job as a truck driver. I was born into a music loving family with church singing being the main outlet. My dad was a Baptist preacher and I was brought up to “sing it like you mean it”.

TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music? >> Whatever is part of us is part of our music - whether it’s blues, rock & roll, soul, country … We’re not concerned with genres. We write & play what we feel. Others have described our music as country-rock, bluesy, soulful Americana, swampadelic. Our mission is to explode with what we’re feeling and hope that we can make people feel okay about expressing themselves and feeling stuff, too. Whatever emotion it is, indulge in it and connect. The main thing is being authentic and being ourselves and to encourage the listener (who are people just like us) to let go, let loose, & feel something. <<>> Well, we’re mostly “what you see is what you get”, so this is tricky. Maybe that a homegrown tomato is one of our favorite things, or that Ricky never flew on an airplane until 2005 when we went to the premiere of the movie “Daltry Calhoun” in Hollywood (we have a song in the final scene of that movie), or that I taught elementary school music several years before diving in full-time with Blue Mother Tupelo … are those things surprising?

TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod? >> well, we haven’t replaced our iPod, which showed up wearing an “unhappy face” the last time we turned it on … but, mostly we listen to stuff that has inspired us from the get-go. Real country music, hill-country blues, mountain music, Muscle-Shoals and Stax stuff …

TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward five years, what do you see for yourself?

>> Gosh, who knows what 5 years from now will look like? We’ve been Blue Mother Tupelo, now, for 14 years and it keeps getting better and better. We can’t be without music and expressing ourselves in this way. We write when we’re inspired to write and we are thankful that we can share our expressions outside of our home, in the homes and hometowns of the people of the world. My prayer is to be where I’m supposed to be and if that means that we get to continue to create music, put it down in records, sell them, make a living at it, then that’s what I want. Every day is an eye-opening surprise and as a youngster I had a certain view of success, my impression of it so impacted by what was/is mainstream, in your face, top 10, etc … If I had my way today, we’d be at the top of our game in 5 years, creating beautiful, raw, emotional music, making the world a better place and making money enough to take care of ourselves, share it with our loved ones, and give to those in need.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?>> As of today, my tambourine’s nickname is Tammy Faye … & Ricky has no nicknames for his guitars -- yet

Weekend at Rail: ... Blue Mother Tupelo Saturday!
Opelika Daily News

... Ricky and Micol Davis, shortly after marrying in 1994, began their musical life together at an open mic night at Sassy Ann’s in Knoxville, which proved to be the beginning of something very special. After releasing their debut album, My Side Of The Road, in 1997, they moved to Nashville in 1998. Vanguard recording artist Mindy Smith, who had just moved from Knoxville to Nashville a few months earlier, encouraged Ricky and Micol to move to Music City, where open mics, jam sessions and songwriter rounds found the duo ready for 2001’s Delta Low ~ Mountain High, a release that continues to garner favor and attract media attention. 2005’s Miramax film, Daltry Calhoun, features Blue Mother Tupelo’s dreamy rendition of the Paul Anka classic, “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” and the movie’s soundtrack also includes BMT’s version. Love Live ~ 5 Songs From The Road showcases some live favorites recorded between 2001 and 2006, and highlights BMT’s penchant for jams and spontaneous sincerity. The song “Without You” (from Delta Low ~ Mountain High) is included in 2009’s 1970s style film, Sugar Boxx, directed by cult film maker Cody Jarrett. Through the years, BMT has traveled wherever the music leads—touring, recording, and living through their music.

Blue Mother Tupelo - Interview with singer & pianist Micol Davis.
PureGrainAudio.com
Author: Bruce Moore

Husband and wife duo Ricky and Micol Davis, (better known as Blue Mother Tupelo) are preparing to release their latest effort, Heaven & Earth. This CD is chock-full of catchy melodies intertwined with southern rock and country music sensibilities that really draw the listener in. I recently spoke with Micol Davis (vocals, piano, tambourines, percussio) about the band's music and their latest release Heaven & Earth.

Every band has its musical influences. What are some of the other bands and artists that have greatly influenced you guys and your music?
Micol: Tops for us are Van Morrison and Delaney & Bonnie (Bramlett). Stuff from the 60s & 70s, for sure. HoundDog Taylor, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers Band, Otha Turner, The Raconteurs, North Mississippi Allstars, The SteelDrivers - they all have the type of raw emotion and unscripted approach that inspires us to continue being ourselves.

Now that your brand new disc Heaven & Earth is complete, how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Micol: We are satisfied with the outcome of this disc and believe it is what we were supposed to do with the songs and expression at this moment in our lives and career. We had a blast over the last few years recording/mixing/writing this music.

What can fans expect when they pick up a copy of Heaven & Earth?
Micol: They can rest assured that we loved making this music and that our hearts are there with them as they listen, sing, dance, and feel what they're hearing. Maybe that sounds corny? Well, there is enough hatefulness out there that they can get from somebody else. Sonically, the sounds are warm and created with our own production. There is soul-country and hill-country, rockin' Americana, and adult contemporary balladry. We hope fans grasp the spiritual celebration of humanity and life that we believe is a blessing of continual lessons.

The band keeps things interesting thematically. Can you talk about some of the subjects you tackle on this record?
Micol: Specifically, we approached financial issues, war, storms off the Gulf Coast, the joy our dog brings us, loving somebody, seeking answers to life's questions and celebrating those answers and mysteries with somebody that you love, need and long for. Sometimes you just feel alone and blue. Sometimes you realize that you are not alone and it is okay to receive blessings from the Higher Power. One reviewer got it all wrong about our song "The War"... he said the loved one comes home unscathed... perhaps he should have taken another listen or two. It is not all peaches and cream; there is struggle. But, there's reprieve, too.

Are there any songs on this disc that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
Micol: Well, "Gustard Bellue" (written by Ricky) is a fun favorite because we have our nieces, nephews, and our dog, Gus, singing along with us, doing' their natural thing - and a cast of special folk jammin along on banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, too. In addition, "Give It Away/Hard Times" is pretty cool because we have a major hero of ours on the recording. Otha Turner's fife is heard here and his granddaughters, Sharde Thomas, along with the Rising Star Fife & Drum Band are featured in what we consider a tribute to them as well as a flat out true story about us. We were honored, as well, to pay tribute to Jessie Mae Hemphill with our rendition of her song "Hard Times.” The Turners and Jessie Mae are from the north Mississippi hills - a great source of inspiration for us.

What was the writing process like for Heaven & Earth? How long did it take? How many tracks did you actually write?
Micol: We don't have a writing process... we write a song when we're inspired to and if we get "lucky.” Moreover, some of these songs have been written a little while, such as our two co-writes: "Goin' Down Midnight" and "Hand In Hand.” We moved to Nashville, had our only two writing appointments ever and came up with those songs. Thing is, it's taken us some time to actually settle in to where we were in the right "space" and opportunity to complete this recording and create this album. Specifically, the songs "Heaven and Earth", "Wandering Soul,” and "The War" were all written within a short span of each other and they came to me pretty quickly - within the last year and 1/2, I'd guess. "Tupelo" and "Always Lookin’,” now that I think about it, might be the newest of the bunch. "Runnin' 'Round" came to Ricky in a dream being sung by the soul duo Sam & Dave. "High In The Sky" came to me in a dream as a reggae song. We wrote all of the songs except for "Hard Times" (written by Jessie Mae Hemphill) and "Biloxi" (written by Jessie Winchester). "Ramblin' Train" has been around longer than any of our other originals. But, please, don't "quote me" on dates.

How does your live show differ from your recordings?
Micol: In our live show we allow ourselves to take time with a song and let the music breathe. Songs can morph into each other and take on a life of their own. Though we mostly play our own songs, there are artists and songs that we adore and cannot help but include in some sets. In addition, friends might sit in with us on various instruments like harmonica, banjo, fiddle, mandolin; but we do not get to travel with them, unfortunately. Sometimes we cannot afford to take a bass player along with us or a drummer and Ricky and I perform as a duo. Piano, Dobro, Martin acoustic and tambourines are always in the mix, and we rely on our voices a lot. The recordings have an array of these instruments, though nothing that we'd unlikely use live.

What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Micol: Three things jump out at me right off the bat: Being able to hear; Being a good listener; and Being yourself. Those are some of the toughest lessons that we have had to learn both in the studio and on the stage. Everybody is a critic, some gentler than others. Nevertheless, we believe that music and the audience are best served when the performer can hear the sounds, the performers are listening to the sounds, and the performers are lost in the moment without concern for the sounds. Does that make sense?

What is your musical background?
Micol: Ricky comes from a family of guitar pickers and players that performed in rock, gospel and country bands together in and around Knoxville, Tennessee. He curled up in the bass drum during his daddy's band practice, learned from listening and observing them, and basically grew up with a guitar in his arms. Eventually he played several different instruments in his own bands and in school, shredding to Muddy Waters, the Marshall Tucker Band and Jimi Hendrix all night long as a teenager. My music came from church and just growing up a Preacher's daughter with a family that loved to sing. My great-grandmother played the piano and was a music teacher, so I guess I got that from her. I was only around her very early as she passed on when I was two or three but, I took to singing and pecking out tunes on the church piano by the time I was four years old. School choirs and a degree in music education round my background out for me.

What is next for Blue Mother Tupelo?
Micol: I thought creating music and following my calling as an artist was only a dream. Ricky and I have followed this dream and we believe in it. So many of our dreams have come true in this musical world and so many dreams we are still reaching for. We are going to keep pouring 100% of ourselves into our music as honestly and passionately as we can, hopefully connecting with others in a way that is uplifting and worthwhile. We are looking toward our next recording and believing that there is a definite purpose in what we are doing. Living day to day, gig to gig, paycheck to paycheck is an adventure and we are going with the flow. Next for BMT is more of the same and I say that lovingly with respect for the journey and thankful for the life we're living.

Maryville Pronounce Murvul
Knoxify
Author: Chad Huskey

(excerpt)... We went to hear one of my wife and I’s favorite local bands, Blue Mother Tupelo. If you’ve never heard them, you’re depriv­ing your­self of an evening of down home, south­ern, swampy, bluesy, soul filled music that is guar­an­teed to stir you. The hus­band and wife combo of Ricky and Micol sound as though they could have eas­ily crawled from the front porch of some rick­ety shack in the Louisiana swamp, or some back door blues house in Mem­phis. Between Ricky’s gui­tar pickin’ and smooth dobro twang­ing, and Micol’s sul­try voice and heart filled piano play­ing, their music will move you, and make you won­der, where have these two been hid­ing!? Also, between sets, Micol was hand­ing out home­made choco­late oat­meal cook­ies (a.k.a. cow pat­ties) to the crowd. ...

10 Questions: Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo
No Depression Magazine
Interviewed by Nichole Wagner

When they’re not out on the road promoting Heaven & Earth, their latest record, or in the studio recording, Ricky Davis (half of the duo Blue Mother Tupelo) keeps busy handling the scheduling, producing and other business aspects of music.

From their home in Hendersonville, Tenn. or “Johnny Cash Country” as he calls it, Ricky took some time to answer our questions on their music, touring and an upcoming showcase at the Bijou Theater.

Q: What does your creative process look like?

A: We just Micol and me both, when we write, let if fall naturally. Sometimes months will go by and we don’t really write songs and then we’ll come back with an idea or something but I guess a lot of writers might say that’s an undisciplined writer but we just let it flow naturally. When the mood hits me and I’m moved by something I write at that point.

Is it usually the music or lyrics that comes first?

A: It kind of depends, sometimes I’ll come up with a guitar lick or something and it occurs to me that this is about a certain subject, I don’t know how that hits me that way but it does. Other times, Micol or me will come up with words first, there’s not a pattern to that either.

Q: How often do you and Micol write together?

A: We probably write together about 30-35% of the time. A lot of times we write on our own and then sit down with each other and show each other our songs. What happens a lot of the time too is that one of us will have most the song figured out and we sit down with another writer and iron out the rest of the song.

Q: What was your introduction to music?

A: My family always played music and still do, my dad and uncle and cousins played music. They played on the weekends in local clubs in East Tennessee. That’s how I was exposed to music initially. And then Micol’s family, her dad was a preacher so she certainly got most of her music from church.

Q: If you weren’t a musician what do you think you would be doing?

A: I don’t have a clue, in the past I’ve done a little bit of everything to try and make a living, but as far as if I never got into music, shoot, I wouldn’t even know.

It would probably be something creative, I’ve always had an interest in art but that kind of goes hand-in-hand with music. I haven’t done it in awhile but Micol does it a lot, kind of painting and a lot of folk art stuff that she comes up with.

Q: Do you have a favorite venue to play?

A: We have a couple favorites, we do return to he same venues quite often. I like this little place called Callahan’s in Mobile, Ala. It opened in 1946 and it’s a little neighborhood, it used to be an Irish pub and it still is an Irish pub, and it’s a fun place to play.

The places that I like to play, I’m noticing more and more as time goes on are the places that are actually music venues and people sit down and listen to the music or get up and dance to it but you’re not competing against two or three TVs going at the same time, pool tables, darts and whatever a club might have in it.

Q: When you’re not on tour, what is your day-to-day life like?

A: Basically every day is working on the tours and stuff. When I’m off the road I’m producing or working on a new song or somebody’s project, promoting the shows or working on our upcoming CD. We’re independent artists so we have to do most everything on our own.

Q: What types of music do you listen to when you’re listening for your own enjoyment?

A: I like pretty much anything, there’s hardly anything I don’t like. One thing that doesn’t get under my skin is when music don’t have soul. Or I feel like it doesn’t have soul, if it’s really contrived and formulaic.

Q: Do you and Micol find it difficult to balance your work and personal relationships?

A: Not really, we both enjoy making music and we have similar interests. We almost like all the same things, we’re obviously not one person so there’s a few things we might like that the other person might not but we’ve been married 15 years and we feel like it’s a blessing to make music in such a competitive business and to be able to do it as independent artists.

Q: If you could sit down for an hour and play with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be?

A: There’s a few but I would have to say Van Morrison and B.B. King. And Willie Nelson.

Q: Is there anything people listening to your music need to know about you?

A: I appreciate people giving our music a chance, it’s very humbling to have folks like our music. When I sit down to make music I’m making it for myself, for my own enjoyment and if other people enjoy it that’s just icing on the cake.

And we’re going to be playing at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, Tenn. and the show is called Tennessee Shines. It’ll be us and Malcolm Holcombe, Jim Lauderdale is the M.C., Dan Tyminski and Ashley Cleveland. That’ll be the night before Thanksgiving, it’ll be fun.

Visit BlueMotherTupelo.com for more info and tour dates.

Aimee Jo Brown Blog
By Aimee Jo Brown

My current obsession: Blue Mother Tupelo. First of all, I really dig their name. If that's not enough, they sound pretty awesome too. Husband and wife duo, Ricky and Mikol Davis, exude southern soul, combining elements of blues and country music, creating a new sound that is raw, honest, passionate, and inspired. Equally at home on a performing arts stage or a juke joint, these guys are simply amazing. Listening to Blue Mother Tupelo on this cold, blustery day has me dreaming of summer music festivals, sundresses,and sandals. Spring, please come soon!

Listening in With Jay Clark
Review by Jay Clark
Metro Pulse Magazine

Singer/songwriter Jay Clark moved back to Knoxville in October after a few years in Alabama, and he’s not wasted any time getting back into the local music scene. Here’s what he’s been listening to since coming back to town.

Jill Andrews, Jill Andrews (Liam Records, 2009)

Jill’s lyrics are honest and sung like an angel. The mellowness is great and accentuated by Josh Oliver’s background vocals. I usually don’t mess with EPs, but this one is for sure a carrot that is dangling until a full album is released.

Doug and Telisha Williams, Ghost of the Knoxville Girl (No Evil Records, 2009)

This husband-wife duo are good friends of mine and we do a few shows together each year. This is their second recording of original material and it’s full of unapologetic honesty. A couple tunes are especially appealing to me, given their mixture of religion and libations (“Last Call,” “Unrepentant Sinner’s Last Prayer”). Telisha’s vocals will just flat out put a hurtin’ on you on multiple tracks (“If My Heart,” “Learning to Drink Whiskey,” “I Wonder”). Furthermore, “20.2,” which was inspired by the unemployment rate in their hometown of Martinsville, Va., is a must-listen for anyone who loves shopping at Walmart!

Kathleen Edwards, Failer (Zoe Records, 2003)

Kathleen Edwards’ 2008 release, Asking for Flowers, has seen a lot of spins in my CD player during 2009. I think this one might even be better. I suggest turning up the stereo, turning off the TV (or at least putting it on something mindless like the Weather Channel), kicking back in the recliner, and getting a good buzz on. It won’t be a wasted 45 minutes.

Blue Mother Tupelo, Heaven and Earth (Diggin’ Music, 2009)

Another husband/wife duo I’ve gotten to know through playing a few festivals together. Although I love this CD, my wife, Stacy, would probably tell you that this is her favorite at the moment. Ricky and Micol Davis have put together a great mixture of original tunes that are full of gospel soul and genuine blues. Ricky’s guitar work throughout the record is great but really comes through on “Give It Away/Hard Times.” It makes me feel as though I’m somewhere in rural Mississippi on the front porch of some old fallen-down house, sweating like crazy from the heavy heat. And Micol—she not only plays the meanest tambourine ever, she has one of the most genuinely soulful voices, and whether it is a rockin’ blues tune or a heartfelt ballad, I do not tire of hearing it.

Kris Kristofferson, Closer to the Bone (New West, 2009)

One of my greatest influences and favorite songwriters, Kris Kristofferson continues to inspire me to write honestly and unapologetically. Musically, this record is much like his 2006 release, This Old Road, which for the most part was a raw, stripped-down recording. I don’t see how anyone can sit down and listen to either of his last two records and not say, “Damn, this is good.”

Solomon Burke, Nashville (Shout! Factory, 2006)

When Stacy and I have friends over to the house, I have a bad habit of playing DJ in the wee hours of the morning. This involves pulling out a handful of CDs and playing a song here, a song there, some sad, some happy, switching to another CD, repeat. When I put this CD in the changer, I usually just push play and say, “Listen to all of this one.” Produced by Buddy Miller and recorded in his living room, Nashville features songs by a hodgepodge of country and Americana artists (Jim Lauderdale, Tom T. Hall, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, Kevin Welch) and duets with Welch, Dolly Parton, Griffin, Emmylou Harris, and Patty Lovelace. You can’t fake soul, and if this record doesn’t stir your soul, then call a shrink because something ain’t right.

Blue Mother Tupelo -- Heaven & Earth - Diggin' Music
Review by David Blue
Flyinshoes Review

Tennessee husband and wife duo Ricky and Micol Davis’ third album has been mastered by Motown legend Bob Ohlsson who worked on many of Stevie Wonder’s hits. Heaven & Earth bears the Ohlsson stamp but is very far removed from those Wonder tracks. Always Lookin’ is a mid-paced Country rocker with a little funk on the side. A rasping vocal from Micol Davis makes for a good opening. The slow and hypnotic eponymous title track is played on piano and there is something spiritual about it. Give It Away/Hard Times has a grinding boogie slipping into a rhythmic Delta blues before reverting back to some grinding to finish the duet of songs off. The War is a beautiful piano ballad and their voices work well together on Goin’ Down Midnight, a mid-paced rocker. Wandering Soul is gentle Americana and so easy to listen to. Tupelo sees the introduction of saxophone to back up the slide guitar all played in a laid back Southern US style.

Ramblin’ Train is a bit heavier and darker than its predecessors although it is a bit out of sorts with the rest of the album. There is some more gentle Americana in the form of the Jesse Winchester written Biloxi and their strong harmonies underpin a classic Southern Country rock on Hand In Hand. The traditional I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down brings Janis Joplin to mind and the gentle High In The Sky is much akin to Krista Detor in its execution. Runnin’ Around is rousing, rocking Country and they finish with the swamp music of Gustard Bellue. This is a jaunty end to an overall excellent album and it is split into two tracks, in effect. There are children singing on the second part and dogs barking in the background which gives a homely feel. To give more of a background, Gustard Bellue is the dog of the story – imagine calling out for him in the park!!

Blue Mother Tupelo
Heaven & Earth
Americana Rhythm Music Magazine
Brodgewater, Virginia

This Nashville husband and wife duo serve up another rockin' bluesy Americana set with their new CD, Heaven & Earth. Sounds a little like Sheryl Crow meets Nick Lowe and sings the blues - but better. This CD is really fun.

Blue Mother Tupelo
Heaven & Earth
Diggin’ Music
Review by Bob Smith

Good Times Magazine
New York’s #1 Entertainment Paper
Edition 1029 December 8 - 21, 2009
Serving Long Island & New York City, New York

Must be something in the water down South these days - Americana musicians are embracing their heritage and traditions, souping them up with modern recording techniques, and coming up with sounds that band on the past while pretty much forging entirely new genres. Blue Mother Tupelo - the somewhat odd husband and wife team of Ricky and Micol Davis - has released an incredible album of personal, vibrant songs that defy categorization. These songs - particularly the openter “Always Lookin’”, “Goin’ Down Midnight”, and “Tupelo” - sound as if Bob Dylan wrote them after spending two weeks shopping at Family Dollar and eating at Waffle House. That’s not an insult; few artists are as willing to bare their souls as these musicians, and the result is just about the best indie album you’ll hear anywhere. Melody, warmth, and sincerity - more, please, and quickly.

DISClaimer
by Robert K. Oermann
Music Row Magazine: Nashville's Music Industry Publication
Nashville, Tennessee

There are stars in the Americana field who are known almost as widely as many of Nashville’s mainstream country artists are. In the marketplace today are new efforts by Kris Kristofferson, Kieran Kane, Guy Clark, Maura O’Connell and the always amazing Chris Knight. Any connoisseur of songs will know those names.
Many might also know of the musical pleasures that a new album by Nashville’s Paul Burch always brings. In his own little acoustic and uniquely jazzy way, he steals the show today with a Disc of the Day win. And it wasn’t for lack of competition. In addition to Chris, Maura and Guy, Paul was up against the wildly creative Blue Mother Tupelo and a steaming blues combo previously known to me only because it landed a Nashville Music Awards nomination. The latter, Jason Ricci & New Blood, wins our DisCovery Award.

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO/Give It Away/Hard Times Writer: Ricky Davis/Micol Davis and Jessie Mae Hemphill; Producer: Ricky Davis/Co-Producer Micol Davis; Publisher: Go Ahead On/Squeeze Me Tight, BMI/ASCAP and Music River, BMI; Diggin’ Music (track) (www.bluemothertupelo.com)

—This Hendersonville husband-wife team craft their homemade CDs by layering instruments and emphasizing their soulful, harmonic, mountain-blues vocals. I love their rustic, earthy, gritty, groove-soaked sound. The album is titled Heaven & Earth, and you won’t find a more individualistic and ear-opening CD anywhere else in this city or in this format. I assure you, this little treasure is staying real close to my stereo for days to come.

Blue Mother Tupelo's, Heaven & Earth, is officially in its third week on the US AMA Americana Top 40 Terrestrial Radio Airplay Chart at #35; and fourth week at #2 on the Euro Americana Chart, on the US AMA Americana Internet Radio Airplay Chart at #26; #8 on the New Music Weekly chart; #11 on the Roots Music Report chart!

Blue Mother Tupelo - Heaven On Earth
Review by Chuck Dauphin
Music News Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee

One of the most intriguing genres of music out there is that of Americana. What exactly is it? I don’t know if there is any true clear-cut answer to that question. For me personally, I think that it means something that goes outside of the mainstream----whether it be traditional Country, Blues, or Bluegrass. Well, this husband and wife duo would fit in either of these sub-genres---if not on every track. I can honestly say it’s been a while since I have been as entertained with an album.

Micol and husband Ricky Davis have an outstanding knack for weaving a story throughout the album---regardless of whatever sound they approach it from. Do you like Motown sounds? Well, if so, look no further than “Always Lookin,” which sounds like it come straight from Detroit circa 1967. Staying with 60s sounds, Micol strikes a presence somewhere between Emmylou Harris and Bobbie Gentry on “Heaven And Earth,” and succeeds in her effort.

The two also blend their voices together in a way that sounds effortless. Tracks like “Wandering Soul” and “Biloxi” ooze with vocal chemistry, and “Tupelo” is very reminiscent of a 70s duet between George and Tammy or Porter and Dolly. Perhaps the most interesting cut on the album is “Gustard Bellue,” a cute tribute to the couple’s dog, complete with guest appearances from their nieces and nephews. Trust me, this one is worth checking out!

(c) 2005-2009 MNN Enterprises, LLC. Music News Nashville is designed, owned and published by Dan Harr. All rights reserved.

Blue Mother Tupelo's, "Heaven & Earth", is officially in the US AMA Americana Top 40 Terrestrial Radio Airplay Chart at #37

Blue Mother Tupelo's CD, "Heaven & Earth", debuts at #2 on the Euro Americana Chart

Blue Mother Tupelo
Heaven & Earth
[Diggin' Music 2009]
Review by Fabio Cerbone
Roots Highway Magazine - Italy

[7.5 Stars]

A couple so was lacking to Nashville and in general to all of the so-called world American: she, Micol Davis, make white and voice black&soul;of large intensity, he, Ricky Davis, I stamp southerner and guitar grown at the school of the Delta, together form an artistic team than simply between everything the scarcity of a production self-managed, delivers a disk, Heaven & Earth, from the genuine and blood tastes. We are just in half between sky and land, between the romantic carazze of the better tradition soul of the Deep South and the arrows blues of the Mississippi, between a church Baptist and a juke joint, a field of cotton and an old, neglected crossroads. It is not the first one some Blue whimpered Mother Tupelo, in activity from a ten of anni and perhaps more, and yet Heaven & Earth seems to collect definitive their influences in a medley that, in the "commotion" happy of its variegated musical stimuli, inserts at least five or you are danced that are worth the price of the ticket.

If alone someone it had still ears and good vibrations for this music the Blue Mother Tupelo could become the new Buddy & Julie Miller under the line Mason-Dixon: the passion is like, also a certainty "filth" in the approach in study, changes in any case the object of the desires. In a matter of Heaven & Earth is a gumbo of resonance on horseback between country country blues and tremblings southern rock that in the shouting of two protagonists find different declensions. In the beginning, in Always Looking, is a simple soul rock, winning and a little one abused that did brace in dance comparisons with Sheryl Crow in the interpretation of the Micol. The I continue it begins already to reveal passions and knowledge more deepened: the title track has a soul gospel with that beat itself the chest and a guitar swamp, but is the persistent groove content in Give It Away/ Hard Times (the second one a renewal of a piece of Jessie Mae Hempill) that begins to crush on the accelerator southerner. To the piece it participates Otha disappeared it Turner and its band for pipe (The Funks Star Rising & Drum Band), true local legend: is the signal of a belonging to the tastes of a territory, confirmed in the successive staircase.

They are the ballads to mark the points more weighing: while the rock' n' roll whipping of Goin' Down Midnight and the spirals hendrixiane of the guitar in Ramblin' Man have had perhaps need of a shrewder production, the aromas southern of a sweet Wandering Soul, the dedication of Tupelo (something that would have done sparks in hand to The Band and Staple Singers), the renewal of a moving Biloxi to signature Jesse Winchester, The song gospel for alone shouting and percussions of Wish THE was in Heaven Sittin Down are declarations of love on that you cannot blunder you. Making a virtue of necessity (play almost all their, with rare outside interventions) the couple of the Blue Mother Tupelo goes out winner in the comfortable wall of the ballad more consuming (aggiungeteci High in the Sky) and in that plain air from old Hague southerner (the final version in tone hillbilly with fiddle and banjo of Gustard Bellue) that does not do ever badly to recall.

Blue Mother Tupelo’s “Heaven & Earth”
Review by Nichole Wagner


If there’s one thing Ricky and Micol Davis (the husband-and-wife team behind Blue Mother Tupelo) know, it’s their harmonies.

Their latest record, Heaven & Earth, showcases the duo’s ability to play off of the other’s voice and their combined skills on everything from piano to banjo.

The 14 songs are brimming with delta soul and Appalachian energy. Tupelo and Always Lookin’ are back-and-forth duets that fall somewhere in the space between Johnny & June and an uncontrived version of Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock.

On the gritty Give It Away/Hard Times, Micol’s voice brings to mind Bonnie Raitt and then Shawn Colvin or Patty Griffin on Wandering Soul. Like a chameleon she blends with Ricky’s leads beautifully and can change styles on a dime when she takes a solo as in High in the Sky.

The traditional I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down shows the pair’s shared roots in the church.

As for guests and friends on the album, Hand In Hand was co-written with Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League, Little Feat), Molly Thomas adds violin to The War and Gustard Bellue includes Robin Roller (banjo), Sarah Pirkle (fiddle) and various members of the Davis’ extended family, and even the song’s subject, Gus the dog.

Blue Mother Tupelo has dates scheduled across Mississippi and Tennessee

Download Heaven & Earth on iTunes

Ain’t No Time to Sit Down: Review of Blue Mother Tupelo and Mindy Smith Concert
By Jody Collins


Blue Mother Tupelo is a band that’s been on the edge for a while now. Around here, they’re well known and well respected — as they deserve to be. But nation­ally they seem to be on the precipice, one hit song from truly break­ing big. Which… let’s just say it’s odd to say the least. I mean, the three albums that are out in the ether are all chocked full of poten­tial megahits. Why it hasn’t come for them is befud­dling to this very writer.

Say­ing Blue Mother Tupelo is soul­ful would be about like say­ing grass is green, the sky is blue and that birds fly. It’s just a stone cold fact. The hus­band and wife [Ricky and Micol Davis, respec­tively] duo have soul radi­at­ing from deep down in their bones. Take the aptly titled “Wan­der­ing Soul.” On record it’s an astound­ing achieve­ment in lush beauty. In per­son, it’s even bet­ter. The dynamic between Ricky and Micol is breath­tak­ing. Add onto that the fact that he [Ricky] was some­how able to get a steel gui­tar sound out of an acoustic gui­tar and you have some­thing truly amaz­ing. Micol’s piano accom­pa­ni­ment really added to the songs’ make-up. The final fac­tor, their over­lay­ing vocal per­for­mances, echoed of Kim Richey’s “Why Can’t I Say Goodnight.”

But it’s not all somber, sad and for­lorn. “Give It Away” brought to light the oft over­looked use of duel­ing tam­bourines. Its not often you see dual instru­ments with­out either puck­er­ing the ol’ bung­hole* or laugh­ing your bol­locks off**. This go ’round, many in the crowd squirmed, wig­gled and shook their prover­bial asses. That is another aspect that really dri­ves Blue Mother Tupelo, their abil­ity to slip eas­ily between the heart­break­ing and the booty-shaking.

In Tune

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO, "Heaven & Earth" (self-released)

[4 Stars!]

The husband-and-wife team of Ricky and Micol Davis have been making Blues-tinged Americana music for 15 years under the Blue Mother Tupelo moniker, though "Heaven & Earth" is just their third studio album and first since 2001's fantastic "Delta Low, Mountain High". The chemistry that exists in their personal life carries over to the music and these 14 tracks are a testament to that fact.
Blue Mother Tupelo are at the top of their game on originals such as "Always Lookin' ", "Heaven and Earth", "Tupelo", "The War" and "Runnin' 'Round" and additionally score with a soulful rendition of the traditional "Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down". Additional keepers include a sterling reading of Jesse Winchester's "Biloxi" and the heart-warming duet "High In The Sky". (JS)

Blue Mother Tupelo
"Heaven & Earth"

One of 2009's pleasant surprises is "Heaven & Earth'' by Blue Mother Tupelo. I hope there's room on Ricky and Micol Davis' bandwagon, because I am smitten by this stunning collection of songs filled with rich vocal harmonies and smart, world-wise lyrics.

Blue Mother Tupelo - HEAVEN & EARTH
Review by Blowfish

A successful marriage, both personal and musical ... What more could a man want. Marriage happiness and love for each other and therefore their music oozes from the new album in Nashville resident Mother Tupelo, aka Ricky and Micol Davis. Who is keen on a good portion gospel tinged, soulful blues, topped with a sauce swampvol and here and there crossed with hints of country and southern rock will certainly find something to their taste in romantic, loving and sometimes pious message that this duo proclaims.

The large crowd instruments such as keyboards, piano, guitar, dobro, steel guitar, bass, saxophone and the most amazing percussion work by Ricky and Micol own response. They treated this record if it were their own child, with the utmost care to detail and only after thousands ingen listen, the album finally canned. This attention to detail is clearly audible and the sound of Blue Mother Tupelo is recognizable, but highly original.

The album kicks off with the swinging country rocker "Always Lookin '" with its dark Groove guitar and tambourine percussion pronounced with the good times of Sheryl Crow's debut album "Tuesday Night Music Club" back up late drink. The successor and title track "Heaven and Earth" stumbles and shuffles forward in the most swampie voodoo procession ever in the streets of New Orleans has paraded with Micol in the role of priestess gospel dancing in the dark tones of piano and percussion husband Ricky. "Give It Away / Hard Times" continues with more than seven minutes the longest ZZ Top guitar center on the tables in a repetitive gospel blues with a dobro and a piercing whistle crazy tone the suffering of the poor of the earth reflects, despite their misery and suffering still willing to share all their possessions with their neighbors.

Romance, love and happiness accompanied by simple piano tones are with the lovely Micol voice of "The War" to a heartbreaking, soulful ballad that slowly rises to its climax with a heavy dose of strings when lonely lady certainty about the return of her beloved from the war. It was almost startled when the Southern rocking guitars strike in "Goin 'Down Midnight", but this is just a lead up to the rusty Jimi Hendrix meets Janis Joplin Wahwah sounds in the sad, almost psychedelic blues rocker "Ramblin' Train". The dreamy "beloxi 'piano takes us back to the sixties along with his beautiful harmonic singing and wide sounding ballads of Buffalo Springfield with dessert as Ricky's fine slide guitar playing.

How well the gospel written on their backs demonstrates the ardent singing couple in "Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down", executed in the purest form, relying solely on passionate vocals, foot stomping percussion and a clattering tambourine. After more than one hours closes the original album with a tribute to their honorable best friend "Guster Bellue, like a country blues roots with upright bass, banjo and violin, which apparently moving sounds like a love for dogs to coyote meehuilt tones of a children's choir and the slide guitar master Ricky. Blue Mother Tupelo with "Heaven & Earth" a strong, passionate completely put down with a rootsie own sound. Once this album in your CD tray will touch your hard drive this exciting let go, definitely.

Blue Mother Tupelo is honored & excited that the Micol Davis, Ricky Davis, Craig Fuller - penned song, "Hand In Hand" from the CD, "Heaven & Earth" is included in this playlist!

"Indian Summer" Leads Autumn Playlist of New Music
By: Craig Shelburne

When I listened to Brooks & Dunn's #1's ... And Then Some last week, it was almost like time traveling. I vividly remember being in a parking lot in Hastings, Neb., waiting for my family's gigantic VCR to get fixed, and passing the time by listening to Brooks & Dunn's debut album for the first time -- on cassette. For the last two decades I've been following their musical career and I've seen them play more times than I can remember. So as they say goodbye with "Indian Summer," I'll welcome the first day of autumn with this playlist of new music, led by the dynamic duo and featuring other longtime favorites like Diamond Rio, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Rosanne Cash.

"Indian Summer," Brooks & Dunn
"Wherever I Am," Diamond Rio
"Tulsa Sounds Like Trouble to Me," Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"Good Intent" (live on KCRW), Rosanne Cash
"Somedays the Song Writes You," Guy Clark
"Durang's Hornpipe," Adam Steffey
"Hand in Hand," Blue Mother Tupelo
"Finding You," Tom Russell
"Only the Night" (live), John Cowan
"Heartache and Stone," Monroe Crossing
"L.A. County Blues," the Band of Heathens
"Lonely Road," Mason Jennings
"Sugarcane," Michael Ford Jr. & Apache Relay
"Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas" (live), Aaron Watson

GuestlistMagazine.net Review of BMT's New CD Heaven & Earth

I was once told that Americana music is anything that resembles country-based music that mainstream country radio is afraid to play. By that definition, Blue Mother Tupelo is indeed an Americana band as they show with their latest album Heaven & Earth. Through the years Blue Mother Tupelo has been building a very solid fan base and with the release of this album they are sure to grow it even more as this is quite possibly their most solid release to date. The comparisons the husband and wife duo have earned to Sheryl Crow and Gregg Allman are noticeable the minute that you hit play and “Always Lookin’” pulls you into the album. The swapping vocals that are presented captivate you throughout the song as the music that blends 60’s styled pop with country influences keeps you tapping your foot. This same feel can be heard throughout the album on tracks like “Goin’ Down Midnight” and “Runnin’ Round.” However, this isn’t all about the upbeat material. They also take the time to slow things down and showcase their talent as singer/songwriters on the more folk driven tracks like “The War” and “Biloxi,” which leans on their voices to carry the lyric over the subtle use of piano. With the lyrical focus being on aspects of everyday life such as love and faith this album is surely going to attract attention with its relatability factor. While walking the genre borders of Southern Rock, folk, country, and more, you will be hard pressed to categorize Blue Mother Tupelo as anything other than solid, good, Americana music. (JK)