Alabama Shakes has been getting a lot of press attention these days, and it's no doubt that several appearances scheduled during SXSW are going to fuel it even more. Hearing singer and guitarist Brittany Howard move the groove along amounts to a crossing of Phoebe Snow and Mick Jagger melting her powerful voice into a 1969 style version of the Stones as they crank it out in Muscle Shoals. It's true attention to detail with the old Silvertone and Ampeg guitar amps in the backline, pumping out hollow bodied electrics that drip warm but explosive R&B chording and fills over the stellar keys, bass and drums. The songs are retro but truly fresh in feel. Already feeling like my pick of the show, the abbreviated Radio Day hall set of five songs has us longing to see their full concert set later this week at a club venue. It's good to know that retro influenced rock and roll is alive and well by being tended to by bands like these. The debut album comes out April 9th/10th on Itunes.

www.alabamashakes.com 

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