Vanessa Niemann

Hola Nola, and hola honky tonkin’ Gal Holiday, aka Vanessa Niemann, whose golden pipes front Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue. 

As deep in the South as NOLA is, country music just doesn’t receive as much attention as jazz, blues and funk, around here. And yet, Gal Holiday has sidestepped the bounds of the city's dominant music forms. Through modern adaptation and raw talent, her band revived the Country genre with rockabilly and swing at the core.

The group has just released their newest album, Set Two, and are about to hit the West Coast for a multi-city summer tour. Before doing so, however, the Revue will grace three NOLA lairs to say farewell: 10:00 p.m. tonight (5/26) at Mimis in the Marigny, Friday, June 10 at Rock ‘n’ Bowl (9:30 p.m.), and June 17 at Tipitina's (10:00 p.m.), as part of their Free Friday Concert Series. The band will be gone until early fall, so catch one of these shows before their departure, and pregame with Ms. Niemann’s own top 10 treasures:

1. “American Dreaming,” Dead Can Dance

How to pick just one track from Dead Can Dance was a real trick. They have the most amazing instrumentations and vocals on the live concert recording, Toward the Within. The sound is HUGE. This particular song deviates from much of their world music instrumentations. It's so overflowing with gorgeous 12 string guitar and rich tenor vocals that it's deliciously spacious and haunting. Daydreaming music at its best.

2. “Feeling Good,” Nina Simone

This is another of those songs done by many bands over the years for good reason. The richness of Nina Simone’s voice coupled with a kicking horn section make this powerful statement of positive outlook positively goose bump inducing. Especially when played at high volume.

3. “Swing Set,” Jurassic 5

In a parallel universe, this song is what Hip-Hop music would sound like in the late-30's. Or in the year 2000 from the genius that is Jurassic 5. They’re one of those hip-hop bands who are multi-talented and so creative that their music goes far beyond just Hip-Hop. All you swing dancers must check it out, yo. Bitching drums, clarinet, piano, upright bass, tap dancing, horns hits, beat boxing, record scratching...WHEW!!! Amazing. You better be rested up though ‘cause it’s looooong at over 5 minutes.

4. “How High the Moon,” Les Paul and Mary Ford

Talk about a history lesson encapsulated in a song. Perhaps the greatest innovator in modern music, Les Paul brought this number in 1951 and promptly blew everyone's socks off. How the heck did he DO that? They all marveled. Ah yes, the mysteries of sound on sound, now called overdubbing. What a gem.

5. “Let's Dance,” David Bowie

I know you love David Bowie as much as me, even if you won't admit it to anyone else. My first introduction to him was in the movie The Labyrinth as I'm sure it was for many under the age of 40, but he had already been through many stage persona incarnations by that point. He has such an enormous catalog of songs, and everyone has their favorite. I’ve always liked to dance, dance, dance and this one not only makes me wanna, but it's ABOUT dancing. What could possibly be better? (Don't answer that. It's a rhetorical question.)

6. “Shady Grove,” Mudcrutch

My mother used to sing this traditional song when I was a child and so it brings back great memories. Tom Petty started Mudcrutch in the 70’s and revamped it a few years ago, releasing a self-titled album in 2008 including this beautifully done version.

7. “A Song For You,” Gram Parsons

For the short time he was with us on Earth, Gram Parsons left behind quite a legacy, including this beautiful love song. He doesn’t naturally have the strongest male voice, but it’s all about choosing the best material for your limitations, and Emmylou Harris harmonizing with Gram is a lovely combination. I often play this one over and over and sing along every time. The solo section combining fiddle, organ and pedal steel guitar is beautiful. (And incidentally, if you didn’t know…he’s buried on Airline Highway in the Garden of Memories.)

8. “Besame Mucho,” Kitty Kellen, Bob Eberly and Jimmy Dorsey

Back in Washington, D.C., I started my singing career with big band, Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra as the alto part in the Andrews Sisters-esque trio in the show. I will always love swing music and that's part of what brought me to New Orleans. This track features Kitty Kellen who kicks in and changes the vibe as the band kicks up after the slow, male vocal intro. And boy does it kick up! I want to swing dance every single time I listen to this track. 

9. “Born Under a Bad Sign,” Cream

When I discovered Cream in middle school most of my peers were listening to New Kids On the Block, Metallica or something else Top 40 at the time. For some reason I identified with a bunch of old rock and rollers who sang “I've been down since I was ten.” Go figure. I used to sing this at the top of my lungs in my room.

10. “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Johnny Cash

Who doesn't love this song? I hear ya, Johnny. Been there.