Sun 2/10 7PM
Miss Tess & the Talkbacks are based in Brooklyn, NY. But don’t expect the earnestness, artiness and/or experimentalism many of that scene’s seemingly thousands of bands exude. The singer/guitarist known as Miss Tess has a womanly sassiness straight out of the ’50s, wedged comfortably in the space between the era’s too-raw-for-the-mainstream jazz and blues singers and the female crooners like Rosemarie Clooney, Joni James or Patti Page who rode the pre-rock pop charts. Her latest CD, Sweet Talk, out last October, adds a big dollop of honky-tonk and western swing influences in tracks like “I Never Thought I’d Be Lonely,” which evokes late ’50s rock singer Connie Francis’ forays into country, just before it became slick and string-laden.
Tess and her new ensemble the Talkbacks did an extensive CD release tour last fall to introduce Sweet Talk. It didn’t come here so consider the group’s upcoming appearance in an Ohio City living room their local CD release party. It’s part of an occasional series of events, the Mechanic Street Concerts, hosted in their century home by a couple whose only booking principle is that they like it. It’s invitation only, but invitations are easy to get by emailing your RSVP. You’ll receive the exact location once your spot is confirmed. All of the $15 requested donation goes to the band.
http://www.mechanicstreetmusic.com