Blues On Stage - Renee' Austin

Renee' Austin
@ Biscuits & Blues, October 11, 1997

Renee' Austin
10/11/97 - Biscuits & Blues
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp - All rights reserved

Dressed all in black except for her red cowboy boots and hat, Renee' Austin has a distinct presence on stage. With such a vivacious, bouncy and vibrant energy Renee' is one of those rare performers with natural charisma that just attracts attention. At every show new fans will be heard commenting, "how can such a big voice come out of such a small package?" Well I can't answer that question but I can say this, Renee' Austin is one darn good blues singer.

Playing to a packed house I caught the last two sets at this Biscuits & Blues show and found Renee' and band to be engaging, entertaining and easily able to bring a smile to your face. She is a natural entertainer and completely free on stage. Her body expresses her emotions as much as her voice does. Tom Asp, who was taking pictures of the show that night, commented that she was so much fun to photograph. "She doesn't have a shy bone in her body," he said.

Renee' Austin
10/11/97 - Biscuits & Blues
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
She was joined on stage by Kurt Nistler on guitar, Marc Rio on drums, Tom Peterson on bass, and Marc Zeigenhagen on key boards. Kurt was playing barefoot, guess that made him feel more at home and relaxed. He sang the first song of the second set, the Hendrix version of "Red House." Did a pretty good job on vocals too. But his guitar playing really shined this night. They performed many of the songs from her new CD "Dancin' With Mr. Blue" including a lively version of the song "Pillow" with some amusing lyrics and spirited guitar playing (lyrics like putting "your pillow in the bathtub you can sleep in there" and "your remote is in the outhouse you can fish it out"). A slower tempo "Its All A Game" that had a soulful feeling to it. A swamp pop flavored "Catfish Woman" with an exuberant saxophone solo by Jeff King who joined the band during the last set. An impassioned "Lonely Road" and a guitar driven "Swing."

One of the excellent covers they performed included "Tore Down." They really ripped into this one. Renee' got "down in the basement" with some deep vocals, Kurt delivered a great lead guitar solo and Marc pounded out some fine keyboards. They did a version of "Hound Dog" that was, well, different.

Renee' Austin
9/20/97 - Whiskey Junction show
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
It was done "Texas style" with some hound howls that would put a basset to shame. Renee' was dancing, howling, shaking, and swinging with all the spunk she could muster. This was a lot of fun for the audience and you could tell the band was enjoying it too. They did songs by two of Renee's mentors/heroes Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan and performed an Otis Rush classic "All Your Love" that was outstanding. The song started out somewhat similar to the Otis Rush version but quickly switched tempos and Renee' and band brought it on home all Texas style with some strong SRV influences.

On the breaks Renee' was out in the audience greeting her fans. She is a very outgoing and accessible lady who loves what she is doing, wants to do well, is interested in her fans and wants the audience to share in her enthusiasm and enjoy the show. Which means, go out and see her, you will have a good time. Renee' Austin will be performing every Wednesday at Biscuits & Blues from December through February.

You can order the new CD "Dancin' With Mr. Blue" for $15 by calling:
(612)608-1655 or e-mail mnblues@aol.com

Click here for a review of the new CD "Dancin' With Mr. Blue" by Jean Verstraete.

Be sure to check the Blues On Stage web site for the Twin Cities weekly Blues Calendar @ http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/1915

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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Copyright © 1997 by Ray M. Stiles
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.