Guitarist and bandleader Marc Stone gave new life to the career of legendary vocalist Marilyn Barbarin this past summer when he put together a new version of the Soul Finders—a 1970s era band made famous by the late great pianist, songwriter, and New Orleans funk progenitor Eddie Bo. After a successful run of shows, the New Soul Finders are playing one last time Saturday night at the Little Gem Saloon.
Described as being, “…like if the funkiest bits of your record collection came to life and threw a party,” the New Soul Finders play songs like Bo’s classic, “Check Your Bucket” and deep catalog cuts like, “Can I Be Your Squeeze.”
The band features Stone on guitar and funk master Eric Bolivar on drums. This special show will also include guest performances by guitarist Papa Mali and sousaphonist Kirk Joseph.
Marilyn Barbarin was a homegrown vocal prodigy who first worked with Bo as a 15-year-old when she cut lead vocals on the scorching 1970 Eddie Bo funk masterpiece, “Reborn.” Her church-raised vocals drip with down home soul and funky grace. She also sang on other recordings from the era featuring backing bands with musicians like master drummer James Black and a young Walter “Wolfman” Washington.
Marc Stone is the perfect musician to have started this project. Earlier in his career, he played with Eddie Bo while learning the tunes at the foot of the master on stages around town. I saw them play numerous times in the small front room of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café on Decatur Street.
When asked why this show is to be the last, Stone talked about how everyone involved is so busy with other musical projects that it was difficult to maintain the band. He said, “this wasn’t necessarily meant to be a forever project. It was a fun side project that we did to explore that music and now it has come to its conclusion.”
I’m sure it will be a blowout show. The music starts at 8:30 PM.
Tickets are $10 in advance and include a seat reservation or $12 at the door.
