The Maple Leaf Bar is the place to be on Saturday night when guitarist and singer Brint Anderson celebrates the release of his latest recording, Covered In Earl. For those reading out of town, the title of the album is a pithy play on words because all of the songs on the new record are from the pen of the late, great Earl King. “Earl” is how many in New Orleans (and Queens, according to a recent NY Times story) pronounce “oil.”
Brint Anderson is best known around town as George Porter, Jr.’s longtime funky foil in his band, the Runnin’ Pardners. But he has maintained a second identity for decades as a blues guitarist par excellence. He is also one of the foremost interpreters of the music of Earl King—so the album makes perfect sense.
Covered In Earl covers the full breadth of King’s work—a songwriter right up there with the greatest tunesmiths to emerge from the Crescent City. He wrote “Big Chief.” He wrote “Trick Bag.” He also wrote one of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time, “Come On,” which most people know from Jimi Hendrix’s version and the great chorus, “Come on baby, let the good times roll.”
All three of those songs are on the album as well as others gems including “Make A Better World,” “Ain’t No City Like New Orleans,” and “The Things I Used to Do.” The rest of the album features songs that aren’t as well known, but are equally as impressive.
The core band on the album includes Doug Belote on drums, Michael Lemmler on keys, and Jimmy Messa on bass. Anderson handles guitar and vocals.
For the release party, Mike Barras will be playing drums. Expect some special guests and a real good time!
