“Long Tall” Marcia Ball and Sonny “King of Slydeco” Landreth on the same stage. That’s going to make music lovers take notice.
The boogie-woogie piano great and the revered slide guitarist will co-headline shows in Northern California, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and – this Friday – the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room.
Ball is an all-time favorite at the Crystal Bay Casino, but her appearances at the venue have been rare in recent years. Friday will be her eighth overall, but just the second since 2012 – that was the year “Mighty Mike” Schermer moved to Austin to join the band full time. Schermer has a family home in Truckee and has appeared frequently in the area lately.
Landreth’s rare Tahoe appearance coincides with the release of his studio album “Blacktop Run.” Guitarists are amazed by his technique that include a special thumb pick, fingerstyle and slide. Eric Clapton said Landreth is one of the most advanced players on the planet.
The resident of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, came on the scene in the early 1980s with zydeco’s Clifton Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band. He later played with John Hiatt, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and Jimmy Buffett. Europe’s Ana Popovich fulfilled a life goal when she made an album in New Orleans that included a collaboration with Landreth, “Slideshow.” He’s also appeared on records by Mark Knopfler, Clapton, Eric Johnson, Derek Trucks and Little Feat.
Marcia Ball has had nearly 50 Blues Music Award nominations, and has won the Pinetop Perkins award multiple times. She is among the pantheon of keyboard legends who have played in the Crown Room, including Perkins, Dr. John, Leon Russell and Art Neville.
Ball’s more recent album, “Shine Bright,” was produced by Steve Berlin.
“What defines a Marcia Ball album?,” Tahoe Onstage music critic Tom Clarke asked. “One on which every song is diverse, but likely easy on the ears. An album that boogies, rocks, and rolls with Louisiana soul and Texas heat, as well as on Ball’s mighty fine 88s and smoky, soaring voice.”
Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Tickets: $35 in advance or $40 on the day of the show
