"LZ’s voice always shines. This music is not just traditional Gospel Music it has something for everyone. This CD lifts you up".
Michael Franti
The journey of LZ Phoenix continues as they announce the release of their third CD “Singing Gospel In Austinâ€. LZ Phoenix was formed in 1999 when San Francisco singing sensation LZ Love met Phoenix while they were both active in the world famous Glide Ensemble under the leadership of Rev. Cecil Williams. The vocal duo released two CDs with their band over the next three years while the local live music scene all but evaporated and recording industry plummeted. In June of 2004 LZ Phoenix migrated away from the Bay Area in search of a strong music culture. They landed in Austin, Texas “The Live Music Capital of the Worldâ€. There they formed a new band with local artists.
Moving to Austin put them back in touch with the music of their childhood and early musical development, back to their roots. LZ was brought up in the church singing Gospel music and Phoenix cut his teeth on roots, rock and blues. When the duo arrived in Austin they found themselves competing with 2500 local bands for gigs in an estimated 100 venues. They immediately began to seek the right fit for their music and one Sunday morning they were turned on to a little taqueria called Maria’s Taco Express where hundreds of people congregate on Sundays for “hippie Gospelâ€. They come to hear “The Royal Crown Golden Harmonizorsâ€. They eat breakfast burritos, drink margaritas and dance. “It was the coolest South Austin scene we had encountered,†says Phoenix, “We dropped by to listen and we gave Maria our CD and asked for a gig. She promised to get back to us later and then LZ just walked up on the stage and asked the band to play “Amazing Graceâ€. She just ripped it up and when the crowd was finally done applauding I heard Maria yell, “Joo got dee geeg, Babyâ€!
LZ Phoenix began working Sunday brunches all around Austin as well as club dates around central Texas. “People at the Sunday Gospel gigs where always asking for a CD of the music they just heard us playâ€, said Phoenix “That’s when it dawned on me to produce a roots Gospel CD. It was really a no Brainerâ€. Both LZ and Phoenix wanted to capture the authentic and soulful sound they were creating live every Sunday. The band recorded this CD live in a one-room studio at Sound Lab in Austin. The only exceptions were a few guitar tracks added after the initial sessions and an additional LZ vocal track used thinly. Dan Tomlinson, long time drummer for Lyle Lovett, engineered the sessions and Wayne Chance at the University of Texas, Austin engineered the mix and mastering processes.
What they captured was pure roots/blues gospel with an Austin flare. “It was a joy to record this CD says LZ Love, Recording “Singing Gospel In Austin†was a bit like reliving my childhood. These songs were recorded with honesty and that helps bring more passion and emotion in these tracks. When you record live like this there is no place to hide.â€
LZ Phoenix will be promoting their new CD with 5 San Francisco Bay Area shows
April 21 Fox Theater, Redwood City 8pm, April 22 (CD Release) Sweetwater, Mill Valley 9pm, April 24, Café DuNord, San Francisco 8pm, April 29, Red Devil Lounge, San Francisco 9pm, April 30th Private fundraiser for underprivileged Children. Check www.lzphoenix.com for details.
See Bio information at www.lzphoenix.com
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.lzphoenix.com
Track List:
1. Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Around
2. Wade In The Water
3. Amazing Grace
4. Glory Glory
5. Keep on Living
6. Elijah Rock
7. We Shall Not Be Moved
8. Down By The Riverside>Amen>This Little light Of Mine
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Michael Franti
The journey of LZ Phoenix continues as they announce the release of their third CD “Singing Gospel In Austinâ€. LZ Phoenix was formed in 1999 when San Francisco singing sensation LZ Love met Phoenix while they were both active in the world famous Glide Ensemble under the leadership of Rev. Cecil Williams. The vocal duo released two CDs with their band over the next three years while the local live music scene all but evaporated and recording industry plummeted. In June of 2004 LZ Phoenix migrated away from the Bay Area in search of a strong music culture. They landed in Austin, Texas “The Live Music Capital of the Worldâ€. There they formed a new band with local artists.
Moving to Austin put them back in touch with the music of their childhood and early musical development, back to their roots. LZ was brought up in the church singing Gospel music and Phoenix cut his teeth on roots, rock and blues. When the duo arrived in Austin they found themselves competing with 2500 local bands for gigs in an estimated 100 venues. They immediately began to seek the right fit for their music and one Sunday morning they were turned on to a little taqueria called Maria’s Taco Express where hundreds of people congregate on Sundays for “hippie Gospelâ€. They come to hear “The Royal Crown Golden Harmonizorsâ€. They eat breakfast burritos, drink margaritas and dance. “It was the coolest South Austin scene we had encountered,†says Phoenix, “We dropped by to listen and we gave Maria our CD and asked for a gig. She promised to get back to us later and then LZ just walked up on the stage and asked the band to play “Amazing Graceâ€. She just ripped it up and when the crowd was finally done applauding I heard Maria yell, “Joo got dee geeg, Babyâ€!
LZ Phoenix began working Sunday brunches all around Austin as well as club dates around central Texas. “People at the Sunday Gospel gigs where always asking for a CD of the music they just heard us playâ€, said Phoenix “That’s when it dawned on me to produce a roots Gospel CD. It was really a no Brainerâ€. Both LZ and Phoenix wanted to capture the authentic and soulful sound they were creating live every Sunday. The band recorded this CD live in a one-room studio at Sound Lab in Austin. The only exceptions were a few guitar tracks added after the initial sessions and an additional LZ vocal track used thinly. Dan Tomlinson, long time drummer for Lyle Lovett, engineered the sessions and Wayne Chance at the University of Texas, Austin engineered the mix and mastering processes.
What they captured was pure roots/blues gospel with an Austin flare. “It was a joy to record this CD says LZ Love, Recording “Singing Gospel In Austin†was a bit like reliving my childhood. These songs were recorded with honesty and that helps bring more passion and emotion in these tracks. When you record live like this there is no place to hide.â€
LZ Phoenix will be promoting their new CD with 5 San Francisco Bay Area shows
April 21 Fox Theater, Redwood City 8pm, April 22 (CD Release) Sweetwater, Mill Valley 9pm, April 24, Café DuNord, San Francisco 8pm, April 29, Red Devil Lounge, San Francisco 9pm, April 30th Private fundraiser for underprivileged Children. Check www.lzphoenix.com for details.
See Bio information at www.lzphoenix.com
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.lzphoenix.com
Track List:
1. Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Around
2. Wade In The Water
3. Amazing Grace
4. Glory Glory
5. Keep on Living
6. Elijah Rock
7. We Shall Not Be Moved
8. Down By The Riverside>Amen>This Little light Of Mine
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- BLUES: Texas Style
- GOSPEL: Traditional Gospel
- TYPE: VOCAL