words: Paul De Lucena
photos: Sexy Fitsum
It’s a small miracle that Alice Russell’s exposure to the District, this being her second visit, has been limited to such an intimate and historic venue as the Bohemian Caverns and it was an absolute treat to be part of the organism that essentially lived and breathed her music for the duration of her show. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next time she came to the city she played the 9:30 club, standing room only; I’ll be there, dancing my ass off.
Alice Russell has a lot of gusto. She began her second set with a spiritual, haltingly repeating “take my weary old soul and pass it on through to tomorrow,” and in just a few songs she had taken us from the roots of Gospel to mid-60s “Hey Ya” hip shaking soul carrying the crowd all the way; I personally nominate her for the most successful crowd-induced hand clap of the year.
As much as she preaches from the Gospel of American Soul music, seamlessly channeling Aretha Franklin, bringing the crowd to take-me-jesus grimaces and gives a head nod to Tina Turner, with a “Proud Mary” power ballad, she does it now and convincingly and with her own clever lyrics, peppered with witticisms: “We could work this out easily, but I don’t know if I’ll try.” Amen to that.
» complete photoset here
I caught the early show and it was fantastic. She should be (more) famous.
June 24, 2008 at 3:24 pmGreat shots! Reminds me how much I enjoy the Caverns. The one where the lighting is just right on her earring is my fave. You know the one.
June 24, 2008 at 3:42 pmI was there to bare witness… Alice Russell took me back to Church for a second time in one day!
June 24, 2008 at 4:15 pmshe said I look like Billy Crystal.
I still love her though.
June 25, 2008 at 1:57 pmlol @ billy crystal
June 25, 2008 at 2:22 pmooooh…Dj Stylus, you do kinda look like billy crystal..lol
June 25, 2008 at 3:56 pmHey Stylus…. Ditto mate!
Ace. these are some great pictures from the show.. Massive props to all the DC peeps… Everyone there is always super proppa!
yo, thanks DC and all the folks at the Caverns! It was by far my favorite gig on the tour so far…
http://www.myspace.com/theroyaleallstars
hahahah to billy crystal, cheeers to that. much love to all the dc folks. reciprocity was wicked, lotta love to yalls
June 25, 2008 at 9:41 pmI don’t think I’ve ever heard of a band that popped up on their own review to thank the crowd. Bad ass musicians and good people. What a class act. Massive big ups your way.
June 26, 2008 at 8:45 amAlso, lest you think I didn’t take note of the band in the review, here are some words that were directed your way, but cut for the sake of brevity:
“by the time we hit “Hold on Tight” the band was so tight they would have made the Average White Band put away their instruments and start slinging taquitos at 7-11.”
“Head bobbing, foot tapping and impromptu hand clapping spread through the crowd like pandemics.”
Please come again soon.
June 26, 2008 at 9:00 amwhat can i say!? the love in .D.C is 2n’d to none … i get filled up to the brim every time…my cup runneth over!! biggest love to the caverns and all the D..C. crew for makeing it happen! thankyou soooo mucho!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx a
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a band that popped up on their own review to thank the crowd.”
That’s what I call ‘a complete package’
June 27, 2008 at 2:22 pmAnd this is why we love them!!! well, there are other reasons..too =)
June 27, 2008 at 2:40 pmThanks to everyone…band, fans and everyone behind the scenes for making this all worth while. Alice, Juke and crew…love you guys. Come back whenever you like. Chocolate malts all around! Donna D…emosewa!!!
June 28, 2008 at 4:42 pmLet’s not forget the talents of TM Juke!
June 30, 2008 at 11:23 am
To make cool alot cooler, after her second show, she spent something like an hour w/ fans just shooting the shit outside the club, underneath the awning on 11th street.
June 24, 2008 at 3:09 pm