You
Should Know St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Milwaukee
has always been a great destination for out-of-town bands. We have an
ever-growing number of venues willing to take a flyer on bands from all over
the country and the world, offering Milwaukeeans the unique opportunity to
check out some truly amazing bands we might not otherwise get to see. In this
installment, we take a look at Birmingham, Alabama soul-slingers St. Paul and
the Broken Bones.
Check Them Out
Headlining
a show Thursday, Nov. 21 at Club Garibaldi with Herman Astro. The show begins
at 9 p.m. and costs $12 at the door ($10 advance).
What’s The Big Deal?
Close
to the cloth, Paul Janeway abandoned his hopes of priesthood in favor of
fronting a band. St. Paul was born. After tremendously positive early reception
after a solid EP, all the Saints’ men took to the studio to record with Ben
Tanner, keyboard player of Alabama Shakes, to tape, in just three takes. The
burgeoning act hearkens to the Shakes’ musicianship with a prolific vocal lift.
Paste named the band among its “2013
Best Of What’s Next” listing.
How’s The Latest Album?
Well, the band’s year-old introductory EP Greetings From St. Paul and the Broke Bones is a soulful hello that
rightfully hinges on the cataclysmic vocal chops of St. Paul centerpiece Paul
Janeway. The four-song effort is plenty good, but the band’s forthcoming debut
full-length Half The City (out
February 18, 2014) sees Janeway and his cohorts at full-tilt, with misplaced
‘50s B-sides that are sure to be unsung ‘14s favorites. Title track “Half The
City” and “Hold On”-type sequel, “I’m Torn Up” showcase the immensity of
Janeway’s vocal chops pared with classic yesteryear instrumentation and Janeway’s
voice isn’t exactly buried, resulting in some of the best songs you think you
must’ve heard before but haven’t.
What People Are Saying
“Janeway explored his
voice growing up singing in the church. And God has been good to Janeway, who
has as much reach with his vocals that you can imagine, capable of bringing any
sinnerman to his knees. But this isn’t gospel. This is rip your heart out and
dance a jig on it kind of soul music that you just don’t hear anymore. The
genre, with the rare exception of artists like Charles Bradley, Michael
Kiwanuka, Aloe Blacc, or Alabama Shakes, just isn’t what it used to be. St.
Paul and The Broken Bones take you back to when soul was cool, like Otis
Redding and James Brown cool. And if James Brown was the Godfather of
soul, Janeway could quite possibly become the Godson.”
— Josh Matthews of MotherPlugMusic.com
“Although Janeway clearly garners the most
attention, dressed as a modern-day dandy and wailing hot soul, the
instrumentalists are true masters of their craft. Guitarist Browan Lollar,
bassist Jesse Phillips and drummer Andrew Lee are former members of popular
local bands, while the horn section is classically trained. This level of
talent gives them plenty of room to play around, and it’s obvious they’re all
constantly putting on their best show to date.”
Audio/Visual
“Broken
Bones and Pocket Change”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkJULXCqX9U&list=RDz7s9A3s8iv8
