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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 17, 2002
The many moods of Marcia Ball
Texas pianist Marcia Ball keeps her fans happy with a zesty blend of N'Awlins boogie woogie and old-school soul ballads that showcase her mighty voice. Ball, 52, is as much at home with Cajun accordion as she is with torchy tearjerkers, as evidenced on last year's Presumed Innocent.
Sure, the disc is strikingly uptempo, a bit pop-slick, and it features a leggy, glam shot of Ball on the cover, but -- get this -- it's one of Ball's finest albums. This blueswoman hasn't compromised the grit. Listen to Let the Tears Roll Down, a wonder of pain, sung raggedly by a seasoned woman, and weep.
Marcia Ball performs with Lloyd Jones Struggle at 8 p.m. Saturday at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $15. (813) 977-6474.