Studs Terkel at NPR called Phoebe Legere “an American original” whose “beautiful voice will take your breath away.”
Phoebe Legere, from an Acadian/Cajun and Native American family, has been playing Americana with “La Famille Legere Band” since she was five years old. Her cousin Ray Legere, a Canadian bluegrass/acoustic fiddling and mandolin legend, joins her on this album.
Heart of Love album is a paean to freedom from the outlaw ecstasy of life on the road to the changes in relationships. Legere writes songs that are folk-country tall tales. Legere twists grief into humor and counters existential angst with a whoop of joy. The song “Heart of Love” is about being on the road, and “Men From Boys” is the freedom to choose an inspirational loved one. “Hello Friday,” which features Phoebe’s powerful piano chops, is the freedom we all need to enjoy the weekend.
Legere deals with family, romance, disillusion, birth, homecoming and death, such as “Mama,” “Brother (Love Is Everywhere),” and “NY Nightmare.”
Her French-English “Cajun Moon” begins with Legere singing a chanson about a woman in a hurricane; then she suddenly changes the channel to spin a yarn about riding an alligator while making love and drinking bourbon out of a to-go cup! “OK Cupid” is a song about computer dating with a surprising twist.
Legere’s Native American heritage is the basis for much of her flashing nature imagery: In “Blue Canoe Blues,” we hear her singing in Abenaki, the language of her ancestors.
On “Wrong Honky Tonk,” Legere plays masterful honky tonk piano throughout, and wields her accordion like a spiritual sword.
Phoebe brings it home on Hank Williams’ classic song, “Jambalaya,” adding new lyrics and some French singing to the song.
Known for her singing, and piano and accordion playing, Legere’s down-to-earth Lightnin’ Hopkins-influenced blues guitar playing can be heard on the Heart of Love album. She has surrounded herself with some of the best musicians in the business including Dave Malachowski (Guitar, Savoy Brown Blues Band, Shania Twain), Eric McDonald (Mandolin), Ray Legere (violin), Paul Smitty Smith (Lap Steel Guitar), Rob Mitzner (drums), and Dae Bennett (background vocals).
Legere’s voice goes easily from a “soprano of winsome sweetness” to a “low down blues growl.”
Legere has performed thousands of shows, from Country Fairs to NPR, from Folk Festivals to the Pow Wow circuit, from Songwriter Circles to a CBS Sunday Morning feature about winning First Runner-Up in “America’s Hottest Accordionist Contest” in Branson, MO. Her live performances have included opening for David Bowie’s National Tour, and recently for Activist signer-songwriter John Hall, and blues greats The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Martin Barre (Jethro Tull guitarist).
Phoebe Legere’s previous radio hits have included: “Trust Me,” “Marilyn Monroe,” and “Amazing Love.”
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www.PhoebeLegere.org
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