‘MARIA CARBONELL BLUES MOOD’ PLAYED RADIO CITY (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT)

Last Saturday night, ‘Maria Carbonell Blues Mood’ took the crowd to a fevered pitch at ‘Radio City’ in the old town of Valencia. The energy kept the house captive. The audience sang along, clapped to the rhythm, cheered on and danced away with couples in close embrace too. Maria Carbonell sang with a full octave range, moving about in a lockstep groove with her band.

The ensemble was David Sam on piano, Fran Moreno on bass, Fede Fuster playing sax, and Juan Lizaso on drums. This line-up leaned into jump blues from the ‘40s and ‘50s as the solos and melodies were performed on sax or piano. A vibrant sound before guitars reigned supreme on stage. All serving up a classic blues and R&B repertoire uniquely arranged and brilliantly played.

The rolling piano rhythm on Hound Dog reinvented this classic into its own and was far away from the familiar Elvis version. Etta James’ soul classic I’d Rather Be Blind packed in all the heartbreak and emotion possible then ending in a 2/4 piano-pounding gospel crescendo.

One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer was reminiscent of the original 1953 Amos Milburn recording. Maria Carbonell and crew know their blues to the core. Be sure to check them out next time she performs.

Report by Phillip Solomonson

Article & photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/’24/7 Valencia’

More info: https://www.instagram.com/mcbluesmood/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBU5G0qVJwU

‘MARIA CARBONELL BLUES MOOD’

Set List at ‘Radio City’

Classy Lassie

Jazzman

For You My Love

Slip-in Mule

There’s Something On your Mind

At Las