Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Cactus Café
Austin, Texas
Saffire the Uppity-Blues Women trio visited Austin, Texas, for their farewell tour. After 25 years of making sweet, outspoken, and humorous music, the members of the group have decided to go their separate ways and pursue individual music projects. The ensemble hit the Cactus Café stage on a surprisingly lively Wednesday night. The group brought a mixed audience of young and old, who were eagerly waiting to get their heads bopping and bodies grooving.
Saffire opened up their nearly three-hour set with “Somebody’s Got to Give,” a new track from their recent album, Havin’ the Last Word. Lead singer Andra Faye’s powerful voice resonated throughout the album while Ann Rabson played an intense piano solo midway through eliciting deafening applause from the audience. To trio gave tribute to Saffire’s musical muse, Big Mama Thornton, with a stirring rendition of “Life Goes On.” Guitarist Gaye Adegbalola also contributed sultry and beautiful vocals as her harmonica brought heart-felt melodies. The ladies also shared a few laughs with songs such as “Too Much Butt,” “There’s Lightning in These Thunder Thighs,” and “Silver Beaver.”
While the first half of their set consisted of lively and finger-snapping tunes, the last half of their set included more personal and heart-wrenching ballads. Songs such as “Learning to Settle for Less,” “Blue Lullaby,” and “I Just Can’t Get My Mind Off of You” were rhythmically somber and breathtaking. “Learning to Settle for Less” had a jazzy feel backed up by Adegbalola’s throaty and sweet vocals. “Blue Lullaby” had a country yet soulful mood. To pay one last tribute, Saffire performed Bessie Smith’s fun and happy “Kitchen Man.” Just as the group wrapped up their set, the audience jumped up and gave the women a standing ovation, forcing them to play one more song, “Going Down to the River.” The song gave justice to Faye’s intricate, playful fiddle, Rabson’s hard-hitting piano, and Adegbalola’s finger-pounding guitar.
For many, the Uppity Blues Women filled the night with enjoyable music and many laughs. Having the last word never sounded so good.
by Bianetth Valdez
Cactus Café
Austin, Texas
Saffire opened up their nearly three-hour set with “Somebody’s Got to Give,” a new track from their recent album, Havin’ the Last Word. Lead singer Andra Faye’s powerful voice resonated throughout the album while Ann Rabson played an intense piano solo midway through eliciting deafening applause from the audience. To trio gave tribute to Saffire’s musical muse, Big Mama Thornton, with a stirring rendition of “Life Goes On.” Guitarist Gaye Adegbalola also contributed sultry and beautiful vocals as her harmonica brought heart-felt melodies. The ladies also shared a few laughs with songs such as “Too Much Butt,” “There’s Lightning in These Thunder Thighs,” and “Silver Beaver.”
While the first half of their set consisted of lively and finger-snapping tunes, the last half of their set included more personal and heart-wrenching ballads. Songs such as “Learning to Settle for Less,” “Blue Lullaby,” and “I Just Can’t Get My Mind Off of You” were rhythmically somber and breathtaking. “Learning to Settle for Less” had a jazzy feel backed up by Adegbalola’s throaty and sweet vocals. “Blue Lullaby” had a country yet soulful mood. To pay one last tribute, Saffire performed Bessie Smith’s fun and happy “Kitchen Man.” Just as the group wrapped up their set, the audience jumped up and gave the women a standing ovation, forcing them to play one more song, “Going Down to the River.” The song gave justice to Faye’s intricate, playful fiddle, Rabson’s hard-hitting piano, and Adegbalola’s finger-pounding guitar.
For many, the Uppity Blues Women filled the night with enjoyable music and many laughs. Having the last word never sounded so good.
by Bianetth Valdez
